BREAKING! Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari at the end of 2020
The negotiations between Vettel and Ferrari and the very vague replies to contract related questions were already pointing to this direction. Moreover, Ferrari's clear sign that Charles Leclerc will be their number 1 driver didn't seem to have gone well with Vettel.
Four time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel will part ways with his current team Scuderia Ferrari. This throws Vettel into an open driver’s market for his future in 2021. A driver of his calibre isn’t necessarily insecure about an F1 seat, it has more to do with how many top teams have a seat left.
Vettel and Ferrari have been in talks about an extension for several months. Team Principal Mattia Binotto had said that Vettel was his number one choice to race alongside Charles Leclerc next year. However, they have been unable to agree terms on a new deal which finally led to today’s announcement. Here’s what Vettel had to say:
“My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020. In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season. Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.
“What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one’s imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.
“Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its “tifosi” all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years.
“My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far.”
Image source: formula1.com
Team principal Mattia Binotto added: “This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best. It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person.
“There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.
“Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us.
“In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.
“On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments.
“We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season.”
Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari back in 2015 replacing Fernando Alonso. The sole aim of bringing along Vettel was to bring home a world championship which hasn’t happened in a long time for Ferrari. Although, even Vettel was not able to bring in the championship title even when he had a championship winning car. Any serious and consistent fight with their rivals Mercedes has not been achieved.
With Daniel Ricciardio out in the open as well, is Ferrari going to strike at Daniel and will Vettel be joining RedBull racing again? This one major news will throw a lot of transfer rumors in the market. Rumors of Lewis retiring in 2021 have already surfaced since Lewis hasn’t yet confirmed a Mercedes contract. In fact, Vettel seems like the perfect prospect to the German team. I even think the German needs a reliable race car to showcase his true potential and the German team would not only give him that car but, also benefit with the marketing support with a German driver.
Valtteri Bottas’ days with Mercedes are also seemingly over. Could this mean another Finn would join the red team? Although, a championship contending Daniel Ricciardio in a Ferrari with Vettel back at Redbull does seem to be one hell of a lineup. But, Ferrari has been eyeing Carlos Sainz for long now, would it now come to fruition? If it does, will Vettel take a chace with McLaren? Is 2021 gonna be the year Mercedes finally face some serious challenge? Would Lewis skip and join McLaren back again and Vettel be roped in by Mercedes? What about that Aston Martin works team, would Ricciardio or Vettel or Hamilton join them? I mean, you get the excitement that this single contract has. And we have 3 other MAJOR drivers without any contract confirmations yet i.e. Lewish, Valterri and Daniel. Stay tuned for more info.
