Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 22, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton with fans before practice REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
SUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday that retired four-times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel would be an "amazing option" for Mercedes as they look to fill the Briton's seat next season.
Vettel, 36, told Sky Sports television on Wednesday that he was "potentially" in the market for a 2025 comeback and was talking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and others.
"I would love for Seb to come back and I think he would be an amazing option for the team," Hamilton, who joins Ferrari next season, told a press conference at the Suzuka Circuit ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
He said the German driver would be good fit for the German manufacturer and that Vettel's racing pedigree and values would push forward a team trying to revive the form that delivered seven back-to-back drivers championships between 2014 and 2020.
Mercedes last had a German driver with Nico Rosberg, who retired after winning the 2016 world championship
Seven-times world champion Hamilton has previously described Vettel as his favourite Formula One rival over the years. Vettel finished runner up to Hamilton in 2017 and 2018 before calling time on his career at the end of 2022.
Vettel recently tested a Porsche Penske Le Mans hypercar and could debut in that 24-hour race.
Hamilton's Mercedes team mate George Russell also said it would be good to see Vettel back on the track.
"Sebastian's a great person ... For sure his personality is missed on the grid and I think it's important that we have the best 20 drivers in the world all competing for race wins and championships," he said.
"I'm really happy and open to have anybody as my team mate, whether it's a world champion or a rookie it doesn't change how I go about my business."
(Reporting by John Geddie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
