LEWIS HAMILTON'S surprise transfer to Ferrari has "triggered something" that could see a Formula One world champion return to the grid, according to Ralf Schumacher.
Hamilton, 39, activated a break clause in his Mercedes contract which will see him leave the team at the end of this season before joining the Scuderia in 2025.
And the move is now said to have piqued the interest for a return to the sport for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Speaking to Sky Sports, six-time race winner Schumacher named 36-year-old Vettel as one possible candidate to replace Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.
Schumacher said: "I've heard that Sebastian Vettel wants to drive again. Of course, a gap has to be closed now.
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"You saw what was going on on the stock market after Lewis Hamilton'smove to Ferrari, that triggered something."
Vettel retired from the sport at the end of 2022 after 299 race starts for Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Hamilton's departure leaves George Russell not knowing who his team-mate will be next season.
And while Schumacher does not doubt the talent of Vettel, who questions whether he would be able to make such a big leap back into the sport after three years absent.
"Whether George Russell has the charisma to replace Lewis Hamilton worldwide in terms of marketing or Sebastian Vettel as a German driver at Mercedes, that's probably a size too big for him."
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SunSport named five possible candidates who could replace the seven-time world champion, from 17-year-old Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Mick Schumacher or Alex Albon.
Fernando Alonso, who replaced Vettel at Aston Martin, has also been linked with a shock switch.
Alonso had two seasons out of the sport before returning in 2021 and has remained one of the best on the grid, meaning it is in the realm of possibility for Vettel to replicate the Spaniard.
However, Schumacher is concerned Mercedes will not be as competitive as they hope to be in 2025.
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He added: "I'm a bit disappointed with Mercedes, I have the feeling that things will continue as they did last year.
"That could also be a reason why Lewis Hamilton lost faith in it and followed the call of Fred Vasseur."
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