Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel is contemplating a return to full-time racing in 2024.

His potential return could see him participating in the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC), and there are discussions of him sharing a car with former F1 rivals Jenson Button and Robert Kubica.

According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Vettel has been in talks with the customer Porsche team Jota about the possibility of joining their lineup for the 2024 season. Jota is planning to field an all-star lineup next season, and Vettel’s inclusion is under consideration.

After retiring from Formula 1 last year, Vettel was not in a rush to plan a post-F1 racing career. He satisfied his racing passion with outings in his own classic F1 cars, including appearances at events like Goodwood, and even reunited with one of his championship-winning Red Bulls at a recent Nordschleife event.

Sebastian Vettel’s potential full racing return is not just speculation but a serious consideration. Respected F1 journalist Michael Schmidt, who has a close relationship with Vettel, spoke with him about the matter at Suzuka.

Vettel stated, “Nothing has been signed or decided yet,” adding, “But I have the matter in the back of my mind. I still have time to decide. If at some point I come to the conclusion that it doesn’t work without racing, then I will drive again.”

Vettel made his second appearance in an F1 paddock since retiring while at Suzuka, where he launched a biodiversity initiative and unveiled the renamed ‘BUZZIN’ CORNER’ at Turn 2 of the track, featuring 11 “insect hotels” behind the inside barrier.

Joining Vettel in his potential racing return could be Robert Kubica, who is currently leading the LMP2 category with Team WRT in the WEC. Kubica has been in talks with Jota, as he is yet to secure a Hypercar drive for the next season.

Jenson Button is also reportedly pursuing a Hypercar program for the next season after participating in his second 24 Hours of Le Mans this year with Hendrick Motorsport-run NASCAR in the Garage 56 category. Both Vettel and Button have held discussions with the Jota team, which runs a Porsche in the Hypercar category this season.

Several other F1 drivers, including Mick Schumacher and Felipe Drugovich, have also engaged in talks with WEC teams in recent months, indicating potential interest in endurance racing.

Mick Schumacher has engaged in talks with the Alpine squad, which is set to debut two A424 Hypercars in the upcoming season. Felipe Drugovich has also expressed interest in a potential program and has been in discussions with multiple teams throughout 2023.

Jota is considering conducting driver tests ahead of the WEC Bahrain finale in early November, although the specific drivers who will participate in these tests have not been confirmed yet.

Jota made its entry into the Hypercar category in May’s 6 Hours of Spa and briefly led the Le Mans 24 Hours a month later. The team features Porsche factory drivers Antonio Felix da Costa and Yifei Ye, along with former Manor F1 driver Will Stevens for the current season.

Jota has gained a significant partner in Hertz for its venture into the Hypercar category, while also participating in the final LMP2 season with a car driven by Haas F1 tester Pietro Fittipaldi and his teammates Oliver Rasmussen and David Heinemeier Hansson.