Horner: Vettel return ‘a definite no’ – Speedcafe

Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has ruled out signing Sebastian Vettel for 2021 following recent comments from the German that he would be willing to return.
The soon-to-be ex-Ferrari pilot had been asked on the eve of this weekends Styrian Grand Prix if he would take a drive at Red Bull should it be offered, to which he responded, Its a winning car and Im here to compete, Im here to win, so probably the answer would be yes.
Suggestions that Vettel might go back to the team with which he won his four world championship titles were raised again after he appeared on Red Bull-owned Servus TV with incumbent Max Verstappen.
Horner seemed to confirm during Practice 1 at the Styrian Grand Prix that the matter had been discussed with Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz and its motorsport adviser, Dr Helmut Marko.
However, he quickly shut down the idea, instead endorsing Verstappen and his current team-mate Alexander Albon, the latter of whom is unconfirmed beyond 2020.
Obviously, the topic has been raised, Horner told Sky Sports F1.
We had a brilliant time with Seb and hell forever be a part of our history but we didnt expect him to be on the market this year, and our commitment is to our existing drivers.
We think weve got a great pairing in Max and in Alex and we think that has great potential for the future as well, so unfortunately its not something that were going to be able to accommodate.
When asked to clarify if that comment represented a definite no, Horner confirmed so.
That is a definite no, Im afraid, so Sebastian, I think, is aware of that well, he is aware of that, said Horner.
Its unusual for a four-time world champ to be out of a drive at this point in the year, so I guess hes got a couple of choices available to him; I assume either Racing Point or a year out and re-evaluate the options in a years time.
Horner did, however, suggest it was unlikely that Vettel would land at Racing Point, which has Sergio Perez contracted until the end of 2022 and is owned by a consortium led by team-mate Lance Strolls father, Lawrence.
I dont think Lance is going to get fired, he quipped when asked if he could envisage either of Perez or Stroll losing their seat to Vettel.
Of course, drivers contracts between the teams, you never know whats within them, its only the contract recognition board which has full sight of them, so yes, Im sure that perhaps they have options or break points or whatever, but thats really none of our business.

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