Audi is expected to finalize its takeover of the current Stake/Sauber team in early 2025, however, the decision on the second driver to complete their line-up hasn’t been made yet.

Nico Hulkenberg, is the only confirmed driver for Stake/Audi for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, leaving one spot still open with several contenders in the mix. Lots of names such as Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, Theo Pourchaire, Gabriel Bortoleto, or Felipe Drugovich, however, one is even more interesting. Mattia Binotto mentioned a name that sounds a bit familiar - Sebastian Vettel.

The German former Formula 1 driver is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest. He debuted in F1 in 2007 with BMW Sauber before joining Toro Rosso, where he won his first race in 2008 in Monza, marking him the youngest F1 race winner at the time. Vettel is best known for his time with Red Bull, where he dominated from 2010 to 2013, winning four consecutive World Championships. Later in his career, he raced also for Ferrari and Aston Martin. Vettel retired from F1 at the end of 2022, leaving a legacy of 53 race wins and many sad fans, who are still hoping for his return to the sport one day.

That day might actually not be far away as a newly-appointed Sauber Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto spoke his mind about Vettel.

“I love Sebastian - I know him very well from the past, and I appreciate working with him. I know how strong he is as a person and as a driver,” said Binotto for Sky - per Sport.de.

“I know how strong he is as a person and as a driver.

“I’ve only been here for a few weeks. I have to understand everything first, look around, listen, and at some point, we will have to make a decision.

“And that has to be the right decision for Audi. Not just for 2025, but also for the future.

Former Williams driver Ralf Schumacher speaking to Sky Germany, expressed his opinion on the topic at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix as well.

"I can't imagine that [Audi are thinking about Vettel]", Schumacher said.

"I think it's as far away as the moon right now.

"But why not? I don't know. Sebastian himself wanted to go back but then I think he got a rebuke from a few teams.

"That's why it's not that easy when you've been out like that - I think there are other drivers who can confirm that.

"The question is, does it make sense to have two mature drivers for the future of a team? I'm not quite so sure," he concluded.

Nico Rosberg also added to the discussion with Sky Germany as well.

"I would take Sebastian Vettel for Audi - Sebastian has to go in. Why not?” said Rosberg.

"With Nico Hulkenberg, they know exactly what they would have there: a great driver who is really driving great right at the moment and Sebastian would come back.

"You would have to make sure that he drives enough kilometers somewhere, and that would be a great thing, I think,” the 2016 world champion ended the discussion.