Sebastian Vettel opens talks with Red Bull as Horner seeks to bring gang back together

Sebastian Vettel said an emotional goodbye to the F1 paddock just over a month ago - but he is already tipped to return to the sport in a managerial role. And the legendary German driver even held preliminary talks with Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko about a future return to the team where he won four world titles.

Vettel became one of the most respected drivers on the grid during a 15-year F1 career and received a deserved tribute as he drove his last race for Aston Martin at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi which closed the season in November.

The 35-year-old is yet to reveal his professional future and has stepped away from the demanding F1 circuit to spend more time with his young family. But having sealed 39 of his 53 race victories at Red Bull during a spellbinding spell of dominance, there are undeniably deep-rooted ties to the Austrian team.

And according to , Marko has already discussed a future "top management role" with the insightful and informed Vettel.

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"It's not impossible that he'll come back for a leadership role," Marko said. "We had a conversation, and if he could get a leadership position, he would be interested.

"It became clear during the conversation. He would definitely have the potential and the personality for this. But for now, we'll let him plant some trees."

As Marko notes, an imminent return to F1 in any form seems unlikely for Vettel as he takes a break from the intensity and pressures the sport brings. Vettel has used his network platform to raise awareness for causes important to him, such as sustainability, climate protection and human rights.

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And he might spend more time as an activist when he retires, but ex-boss Horner has also cast him as a future driver manager, much like Marko, who helped him cement his legacy as a sports icon. Horner and Marko enjoyed a golden period for Red Bull with Vettel between 2010 and 2013, and the team principal believes his former driver could have similar success in the managerial role.

"He's a great guy," Horner said of Vettel in Abu Dhabi last month. "He understands the value of people and the contribution they make to success.

"And I think he's also turned into a driving advisor in the last two years. So it really depends on what he wants to apply himself to. He's one of those guys who is terribly good at everything what he chooses to do, so I'm sure if he went that route, he would be very good at it."