During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed that the team had “explora🐎tory talks” with Ve♉ttel to potentially replace Alex Albon for 2021.

“We h๊ad a few exploratory talks,” Horner said. “But it would be a bit like going back to an old girlfriend, it would probably never be quite the same second time around.

“What we achieved together was so remarkable. It was such a phenomenal thing and that will always be part of our hi♕story, and we’re tremendously proud to have had him as part of our team.”

Vettel was dropped ahead of the COVID-hit 2020 campaign, leaꦑving him without a drive for🐬 the following season.

He eventually signed with Aston Martin, while Red Bull decided to drop𓆉 Albon at the end of the ye🐟ar, ultimately opting for Sergio Perez.

Reflecting on the decision to sign for Aston Martin over potentially returning to Red Bull, Vettel said: 𓃲“I made the decision to join Aston Martin before I think it was in discussion that Alex was going to leave so it was never really close but of course, I know Christian [Horner], I know Helmut [Marko] for sure. 

“I had a brief chat with them but never anything serious and I also knew if it would have been an option or serious we’d have at least talked about it but it never came to that point. A couple of months later you can look back and 🌟think ‘what if’ or so on but I am happy with t💛he choice I made. 

“I expected that we would be more competitive last year and this year but we were not. I am more than happy with how the team has progressed and we are working together. It’s not the dream c𝔉oming true, racing in the positions w♛e’re racing but it’s been a challenge and I think I’ve accepted it and tried to make the most of it.”

Vettel was then asked if he’d consider 🤡rejoining Red Bull in a non-driver capacity.

“I don’t know,” he added. “At the moment, I am not considering anything because I am stepping away. Time will tell what will be something that is possible to do, if there’s an offer of a🐟ny such nature or not and then I will see how I feel. At the moment, I am quite happy to spend more time on other things, look forward to see the kids more and stuff like that. Time will tell if I get bored within three months or three years or I don’t know. We will see."