Since ending his Formula 1 career in 2022, Sebastian Vettel has remained without a permanent role in motorsport. Although occasional speculation, including his Porsche Hypercar test, has linked him with a potential Le Mans appearance, the German has stayed away from regular racing, focusing instead on environmental and sustainability projects.

Vettel continues to follow the F1 paddock closely and occasionally appears at race weekends, as he did most recently at Interlagos. During that visit, he commented on the summer dismissal of his former team boss, Christian Horner, who had led Red Bull for two decades.

“Surprised,” Vettel told Sky F1 when asked about Horner’s exit. “Christian has been there for so long, since the very beginning, and knows this team inside out. I think for this year everything was in place.”

Horner’s position was taken over by Laurent Mekies, who previously headed the sister team Racing Bulls.

“I know Laurent as well, the successor, and I’ve worked with him and he’s a really, really great person,” Vettel continued. “But I think Christian left some big footsteps. Not just because of all the success he’s had with the team, but also because he was such a central part of it – he knew what was going on and so on.”

Reflecting on Red Bull’s future under Mekies’ leadership, Vettel added a cautious note.

“I’m not completely aware of the organisation, the structure, and especially the plan for the future, but that’s where I think it’s valid to say, let’s wait and see how it turns out.”