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Instead of Hamilton, Vettel could have been Mercedes’ boss

An expert who once worked in Honda’s management told an interesting story about Vettel, which basically could have turned out to be a completely different race for both pilots.

Sebastian Vettel achieved his greatest success in the first half of the race with Red Bull, and was left without a World Cup title in the last few years with Ferrari. When he was young, both BMW and the energy drink brand noticed him, he led with both teams in F1 (in training and races, BMW threw him into the role, he replaced the injured Robert Kubic on his debut), however, an interesting piece of information was revealed about his past, when he retired from driving at the end of 2022: the Alpine At the time of his current team principal, he was a member of Honda’s management team, and he said that during that time, Vettel approached them about a contract.

Vettel at the 2007 USA Nagydjon, the first F1 raceForrs: Getty Images/AFP/2007 Getty Images/Mark Thompson

“He brought me there when he was still young, maybe 19 years old, and he said that there is a long period of time during which he is not under contract with either Red Bull or BMW, and that we would be interested in signing him,” he said. AutosportOtmar Szafnauert.

Sporting director Gil de Ferran, who managed Honda unsuccessfully, but successful racing driver Gil de Ferran, did not see a fan in him.

“We still didn’t know what was in it, but I felt it, this kid. I told Gil that we have two weeks to sign Seb Vettel, to which he replied not to worry, I’m keeping my eye on him. I repeated that we only have two weeks and we haven’t confirmed it yet.”

Vettel and Hamilton in 2013, this was Hamilton’s first season with MercedesForrs: AFP/John Thys

All of this is interesting because Brawn GP became Honda in 2009 after it withdrew from F1, which was then bought by Mercedes. Of course, it’s only a theoretical game, but it’s possible that Lewis Hamilton would never have approached Mercedes if the teamwork between Vettel and the team proves to be a success.

Vettel and Red Bull first started the World Championship against Brawn GP competitor Jenson Button, but in 2009 they fell short.

Vettel and Szafnauer later met Aston Martin alone.

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