F1 News: Sebastian Vettel Speaks Out On Racing Return - "A Good Feeling"

Sebastian Vettel has made a return to the racing world following his F1 retirement at the end of 2022.

Author:
Lydia Mee
Mar 27, 2024

Sebastian Vettel has re-emerged on the racing scene following his Formula One retirement at the end of 2022, this time testing a cutting-edge Porsche hypercar. The four-time F1 champion took on the challenge at the Motorland Aragon circuit, where he impressively clocked over 581 kilometres.

Key Takeaways:

Sebastian Vettel ventured into the world of hypercars with a test drive of the Porsche 963, successfully completing 118 laps at Motorland Aragon.
Reflecting on the experience, Vettel conveyed his enthusiasm and the unique challenges he faced transitioning to a hypercar.
Amidst speculation, Vettel's future in the World Endurance Championship and potential participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans are highly anticipated.

Sebastian Vettel - Aston Martin

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel has taken a significant step into a new domain of motorsport by undertaking a comprehensive test of the Porsche 963 hypercar. This marked his debut in the hypercar category, a notable departure from his familiar F1 background. Conducted at the Motorland Aragon circuit, Vettel's test session was a rigorous exploration of the car's capabilities, spanning 118 laps and covering a distance exceeding 581 kilometres.

The test was Vettel's initial real-world experience with the Porsche 963, a vehicle prominently featured in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the esteemed 24 Hours of Le Mans. Transitioning from the open-cockpit, single-seater Formula 1 cars to a closed-cockpit hypercar presented Vettel with a fresh set of challenges and learnings. Despite the differences, Vettel's feedback was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring his adaptability and passion for racing.

Sharing his insights, Vettel stated:

"Of course, I also keep an eye on other motorsport disciplines and know many drivers who are active in the WEC and Le Mans.

"At some point, my curiosity was so great that I had the idea of trying it out myself. Porsche gave me the opportunity to test a current hypercar with the 963. After the seat adjustment, the simulator session and the roll-out in Weissach, I already had a good feeling.

"Driving the Porsche 963 on the track here in Aragon - that was definitely fun. I first had to get used to everything and find my rhythm. The driving experience is different simply because of the roof over your head, as well as dealing with the higher weight and the tyres. The Porsche works drivers were very helpful and explained to me what was special and what I needed to get used to. That made it easy for me."

The motorsport world is ripe with speculation regarding Vettel's next steps, particularly concerning his involvement in the WEC and the possibility of competing in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. While details remain speculative, the prospect of Vettel joining Porsche's lineup for prestigious events like Imola or Spa, leading up to a potential Le Mans entry, adds an exciting dimension to his post-Formula 1 pursuits.