Vettel: My children are against me making F1 racing comeback
Sebastian Vettel says a return to Formula One as a driver is no longer an option, especially because of a request by his children.
"The kids have also said I can't start driving again because it's so nice that I'm at home. That's, of course, wonderful to hear," the German four-time world champion told a Sky Sport podcast.
Advertisement
Vettel, who has three children and lives in Switzerland, ended his F1 career after the 2022 season and has since been involved in social projects.
The 37-year-old said he is not yet getting on the nerves of his loved ones at home.
"Family harmony still exists," Vettel said. "I've learned a lot about myself during this time. I'm very content, and I don't get bored."
Vettel, who is even training to become a farmer, has been linked with replacing Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, 82.
Austrian Marko, a close confidant of Vettel, recently named the German as a potential successor at the team where he won his four titles.
Advertisement
"Whether that will happen in the future remains to be seen," Vettel said, with his children's wish that he stays home ringing in his ears.
Additionally, the former Ferrari driver is in discussions with Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali about a possible position in the leadership of the racing series.
"We're still working out what it could look like. But I don't want to impose myself," Vettel said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Trump Set to Square Off With New German Chancellor Merz on Trade, Ukraine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump will meet Thursday with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the first time since Merz swept into power vowing to distance Germany from the United States. The centrist conservative German leader won an election in February with a promise to establish "independence" from Washington, signaling a potential break between the U.S. and one of its most important European allies. "Merz will be trying to create a positive working relationship, but he probably won't just come into the Oval Office and endorse Donald Trump's view of the world," said Jeff Rathke, the president of the American-German Institute, a think tank in Washington. The White House meeting between Trump and Merz will take place amid a backdrop of tensions between the U.S. and Europe over issues ranging from free speech to trade to Russia's war in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz takes part in the Bundestag's topical hour on transatlantic relations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz takes part in the Bundestag's topical hour on transatlantic relations. Kay Nietfeld/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Berlin and Washington have maintained a close relationship for decades, with Germany — the largest economy in Europe — serving as a key ally on economic and national security issues. Former President Joe Biden and Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, maintained close ties even as they debated how to best aid Ukraine in its fight with Russia. But Merz signaled a new approach after winning the February election and forming a coalition government with his center-right Christian Democratic Union party and Scholz's center-left Social Democrats. Merz told the U.S. not to meddle in German domestic politics after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Germany's intelligence agency for labeling the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) group a "right-wing extremist organization." Billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk had sparked an uproar in Germany by backing the AfD last year. "That is our business. We decide that, not the American government," Merz told reporters after he was sworn in last month. The episode followed Merz's election night promise to upend the transatlantic partnership. "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A," Merz said at the time. "For Germany the partnership with the U.S. dating back to the Cold War has been a cornerstone of its policy," said Garret Martin, an expert on transatlantic relations at American University. "Real independence, depending on how you define it, would be a major shift." Merz's approach will be tested on issues like aiding Ukraine in the war with Russia. Trump is eager to end the conflict, but he has been far more critical of Ukraine than Russia since returning to the White House. More recently, the president's tone has shifted somewhat, marked by social media posts in which Trump wondered aloud "what the hell happened" to Vladimir Putin, who had gone "absolutely crazy." It's also unclear if Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress will approve more military aid for Ukraine once the current tranche of funding runs out later this year. From left, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk speak at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday May... From left, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk speak at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday May 10, 2025. More Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP In contrast, Germany and other EU nations have promised to continue aiding Ukraine even without a negotiated peace in sight. Germany is the third-largest provider of aid to Ukraine, trailing only the U.S. and European Union as a whole. Merz has also joined other foreign leaders in criticizing Trump's trade war, a topic that will be front and center when the leaders meet at the White House. The administration is negotiating tariff deals with individual countries as well as the EU. The German leader would be wise to avoid provoking Trump on tariffs, said Emily Kilcrease, the director of the Energy, Economics and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. "Germany and Europe can work with the U.S. to address some of the concerns that [Trump] has raised," Kilcrease said. There are other areas where it may be easier for Trump and Merz to find common ground. Earlier this year Germany changed its debt rules to ramp up defense spending, an initiative backed by Merz that was passed before he took office. Trump has long urged NATO members to meet their defense spending obligations and may welcome Merz's efforts to boost Germany's defense industry. Under Merz, Germany has also taken steps to toughen its immigration system to reduce the number of asylum-seekers entering the country. The changes have been challenged in court, like many of Trump's own immigration policies in the U.S. "Immigration is an area where I imagine Merz would try to placate and court Trump," Martin said. FILE - Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. FILE - Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. Mystyslav Chernov/AP The two leaders are scheduled to attend a lunch together Thursday and also meet separately with a small group of advisers. Analysts said not to expect the public fireworks that marked Trump's meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. "Merz is not coming here to pick a fight," Rathke said. Germany understands "there are major tectonic shifts underway on the international scene, but they also want to preserve the transatlantic relationship to the extent they can."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jeremie Frimpong transfer imminent as Liverpool trigger release clause
Jeremie Frimpong is set to join Liverpool in the summer transfer window after the Premier League club triggered the release clause in his contract. The Bayer Leverkusen right-back became a top target for the Reds after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he would be leaving Anfield at the end of this season. Advertisement Liverpool have move quickly to get their man, engaging in negotiations with the German club over the payment structure of a €35 million (£29m) transfer fee. Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano gave the deal the Here We Go treatment on Saturday afternoon, posting that an agreement has been reached between all parties involved. A medical has been scheduled ahead of Frimpong signing a five-year contract with the Merseyside outfit. More to follow… Read – Liverpool 'ahead of Man City' in Florian Wirtz transfer race See Also – The lowest Premier League finish for every 'Big Six' club Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florian Wirtz scouting report as Liverpool fans make up minds after moment before goal
Liverpool fans are already convinced that Florian Wirtz is the dream signing after he produced a stunning driven pass before scoring in the 2–1 Nations League semi-final defeat to Portugal on Wednesday. Advertisement Wirtz is on the verge of joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, although the German club has rejected two bids and is demanding $169.5 million to let him go. Wirtz is seemingly locked-in on Liverpool, and bizarrely responded to false reports regarding his preferred jersey number, which all but confirmed that his heart is set on the move. On Wednesday, Liverpool fans got the chance to evaluate Wirtz closely for the first time since the transfer saga began, as Germany faced Portugal. Wirtz produced a stunning performance, showcasing his extensive passing skillset before scoring Germany's only goal of the game. READ MORE: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister says his current situation 'infuriates me' READ MORE: Liverpool makes Luis Diaz transfer stance clear amid Barcelona and Saudi links Advertisement Despite suffering defeat, Wirtz had the second-highest match rating behind German teammate Joshua Kimmich, as he statistically performed better than the entire Portugal roster. There were four moments of particular interest involving Wirtz during the game, which all excited Liverpool fans. In the first half, Wirtz cut in from the left-wing and side-stepped past Portugal's Francisco Trincao before delivering a pinpoint pass to Kimmisch at the back post. Kimmisch attempted to cushion the ball to Leon Goretzka, but the chance was missed. "Can't wait to see Florian Wirtz do this in a red top about to change my life," one fan wrote on X. "Florian Wirtz pinging in those types of passes to Salah? Yeah lads we're winning the lot," another added. Another highlight from the opening 45 minutes was Wirtz's willingness to drop deep, after Portugal began pressing Germany deep in their own half. Wirtz dropped back to receive the ball 20 yards out from his goal, but he then started a counter-attack as he helped transition from defense to offense. Advertisement "Florian Wirtz is all over the pitch. Left middle right, doesn't matter where he's at out there," one fan wrote. "He's a big game player, I already love him," another added. Wirtz then proceeded to open the scoring after a neat exchange with Kimmisch, as he headed the ball into the bottom-right corner over Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. "Lovely header from Wirtz, a lot of his better attributes on show there; high regain, good work in tight spaces, comes in off the left and sneaks into the box," one fan said when analyzing his performance. Bruno Fernandes was fouled by Wirtz and it led to an exchange between the two players -Credit:AFP or licensors Another moment that delighted Liverpool fans was when Wirtz had an altercation with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, with a rivalry already in place if his transfer is completed this summer. Fernandes tackled Wirtz as he slid to the floor, and the German connected with his ankle. Advertisement Wirtz was already in motion when the ball was poked clear, but his foot came down and his studs grazed the right ankle of Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder stayed down to receive treatment, before later complaining to officials. Fernandes and Wirtz then had a confrontation, but the German proceeded to push him back in an attempt to restart the game. Due to the rivalry between Liverpool and United, fans were already ecstatic to see Wirtz stand his ground against Fernandes. "Florian Wirtz hates Bruno Fernandes, I love him so much already," one fan wrote. "Fernandes doesn't know what is to come next season," another said.
