Sebastian Vettel is in preliminary discussions for a possible return to elite motorsports in 2024 with Jota Porsche, a customer team presently running a Porsche 963 LMDh in the World Endurance Championship.
Sam Hignett, the team principal of Jota, revealed in a recent interview with Motorsport.com that the team has engaged Vettel in conversations regarding his potential participation in their two-car lineup for the Hypercar category of the 2024 World Endurance Championship.
While the talks are in the initial phases, Hignett emphasized that no formal agreement has been reached. “Dialogue is ongoing with Sebastian, but no formal commitments have been made. He has not yet test-driven any of our vehicles,” Hignett stated.
Hignett also disclosed that other prominent names in motorsports, including former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button and ex-F1 and current LMP2 driver Robert Kubica, are also being considered as potential drivers for the team.
Financially, the team is securely backed, owing partly to a sponsorship agreement with Hertz. Jota Porsche also enjoys sponsorship from Singer, which is responsible for designing the gold livery for the team’s 963 model. Consequently, the team is not in a position where it needs to onboard a pay driver.
Vettel stepped away from Formula 1 at the conclusion of the 2022 season, marking the end of a distinguished career punctuated by four world championships, all of which were secured while he was with Red Bull Racing. Over the years, Vettel has also been associated with teams such as BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
Should Vettel join the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship, it would present him with an opportunity to secure an outright win at the esteemed 24 Hours of Le Mans, a cornerstone event in the World Endurance Championship calendar. A victory at Le Mans would move Vettel closer to clinching the motorsports’ elusive Triple Crown—a feat comprising wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Monaco Grand Prix, and Indianapolis 500. To date, this accomplishment has only been attained by British driver Graham Hill. Presently, Vettel has only secured a victory at Monaco in this illustrious trio of races.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sebastian Vettel Le Mans 2024
What is the main subject of the article?
The main subject of the article is the preliminary discussions between Sebastian Vettel and Jota Porsche about Vettel’s potential return to high-level racing. Specifically, the talks revolve around Vettel participating in the Hypercar class of the 2024 World Endurance Championship.
Who is Sebastian Vettel?
Sebastian Vettel is a retired Formula 1 driver who has won four world championships, all with Red Bull Racing. He has also raced for BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
What is Jota Porsche?
Jota Porsche is a customer team currently participating in the World Endurance Championship. They field a Porsche 963 LMDh and are considering an expanded two-car entry for the Hypercar class in 2024.
Who is Sam Hignett?
Sam Hignett is the team principal of Jota, the team discussing potential collaboration with Sebastian Vettel for the 2024 World Endurance Championship.
Are there any other drivers being considered by Jota Porsche?
Yes, the team is also considering other high-profile drivers like former F1 champion Jenson Button and ex-F1 and current LMP2 driver Robert Kubica.
What is the current financial status of Jota Porsche?
Jota Porsche is financially secure, with sponsorships from Hertz and Singer. As a result, the team does not require a pay driver to sustain its operations.
What would a win at Le Mans mean for Sebastian Vettel?
A win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans would bring Sebastian Vettel closer to achieving motorsports’ elusive Triple Crown, which includes wins at Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500. Currently, Vettel has only a Monaco Grand Prix win in this trio of prestigious races.
More about Sebastian Vettel Le Mans 2024
- Sebastian Vettel’s Career Highlights
- World Endurance Championship Official Site
- Motorsport.com Interview with Sam Hignett
- What is the Triple Crown in Motorsports?
- Jota Team Official Website
- Financial Sponsorships in Motorsports
- 24 Hours of Le Mans Official Site
- Jenson Button’s Career
- Robert Kubica’s Career
6 comments
Jenson Button and Robert Kubica are also in the mix? Man, Jota’s not messing around, are they? They’re aiming high. Would love to see how this plays out.
any1 else curious abt the sponsorship frm Hertz and Singer? Especially after the pandemic, good to see companies investing in motorsports again.
Vettel and Jota? never saw that coming. But hey, sometimes the most unexpected combos produce the best results, right?
So they’re financially secure huh? Good to know they’re not just hunting for a pay driver. Gives them room to pick real talent.
Wow, Vettel coming back would be huge! If he wins Le Mans, he’s got 2 out of 3 for the Triple Crown. Monaco, Le Mans, just needs Indy 500 after that.
talks are still early stages, but if this happens, it’s gonna shake things up for sure in the endurance world. F1 champs like Vettel can bring a lot to the table.