‘A definite no’: Red Bull rejects Vettel’s suggestion he’d rejoin the F1 team

SPIELBERG, Austria — Crimson Bull have specified “a definite no” to four-times Formula 1 planet champion Sebastian Vettel’s hopes of returning to them following calendar year, team boss Christian Horner mentioned on Friday. Racing Stage also politely declined.

The German, who is out of deal with Ferrari at the conclusion of the period and experiencing an unsure long run, had mentioned on Thursday he would say sure to a Crimson Bull drive if one was available.

Vettel received his titles with Crimson Bull from 2010-13 and remains on great terms with the Austrian electricity consume brand’s senior administration.

“We had a amazing time with Seb,” Horner instructed Sky F1 television during observe for the Styrian Grand Prix at Austria’s Crimson Bull Ring. “He will without end be a aspect of our record.

“We failed to count on him to be on the current market this calendar year, and our motivation is to our current drivers. We believe we have acquired a fantastic pairing in Max (Verstappen) and in Alex (Albon). We believe that has fantastic opportunity for the long run as effectively.

“So sadly it’s not one thing we are likely to be ready to accommodate. That is a definite no, I’m scared. Sebastian I believe is informed of that.”

Horner’s remarks closed another doorway to the 33-calendar year-aged immediately after Renault declared on Wednesday that they had signed double planet champion Fernando Alonso to fill the emptiness remaining by departing Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo, Vettel’s previous Crimson Bull teammate, is transferring to McLaren following calendar year in put of Ferrari-certain Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

Vettel’s possibilities would look to be dwindling, with champions Mercedes expected to adhere with six-times champion Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Horner suggested Racing Stage, owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, could be a possibility, but the Mercedes-powered team performed down these speculation.

“It’s flattering that everyone thinks a four-time planet champion need to appear to our team, probably that is because the car’s a little bit more quickly now,” Racing Stage principal Otmar Szafnauer instructed a movie news convention.

“We have lengthy contracts with each of our drivers so it would only be reasonable that we never have house.”

Racing Point’s present-day drivers are Lance Stroll, son of the operator, and Mexican Sergio Perez who signed a a few-calendar year deal extension past August whilst the facts remained private.

Vettel outlined his possibilities on Thursday as “have on, have a break or retire.”