Ferrari has officially confirmed that it will not renew with Sebastian Vettel, thereby ending their to-be six-year journey after the 2020 F1 season.
After significant speculation late on Monday evening, when German media reported that Vettel had split ways with Ferrari, the Italian team officially confirmed the news, much to the dismay of the four-time F1 champion’s fans, with 2020 not even started.
Discussions have been on between the two parties amid the disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, with Vettel reportedly looking for a multi-year contract. Even in his recent interviews, the German has stated the intention to stay in with the Italian manufacturer.
Vettel had joined Ferrari in 2015, after a rough 2014 challenge with Red Bull. He has spent the last five seasons with the Italian outfit – with the sixth yet to kick-off due to the pandemic – and achieved varying levels of competitiveness.
He accumulated 14 wins and 54 podiums in all but the last few seasons have been a little off-colour with plenty of mistakes. The 2019 season saw Charles Leclerc join the crew which initiated the young vs experience rivalry after a relatively calm relationship with Kimi Raikkonen.
Interestingly, Vettel also ended his relation with Red Bull after six seasons together and he does the same with Ferrari. His parting message hints of growing differences between him and the team, though, as they would have started to push towards Leclerc.
“My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020,” said Vettel. “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.”
Meanwhile, 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.”
It remains to be seen where he ends up. There is Mercedes, Red Bull and even the likes of Renault and McLaren, but it all depends on the team’s intake as well, along with the financial package and happiness within a team for a world champion.
Over at Ferrari, though, it doesn’t look like any of the younger drivers from F2 and F3 are ready, with Antonio Giovinazzi the best bet from the academy. Outside of that, Daniel Ricciardo remains the big name but Carlos Sainz is not far behind too.
Considering its relation with Daniil Kvyat as its reserve driver in 2018 F1 season, he may put his hand too along with Pascal Wehrlein and Brendon Hartely, who are Ferrari’s sim drivers – but the trio would seem a far fetched choice.
Another name like Sergio Perez would be trying a look despite a contract with Racing Point until 2022. Meanwhile, reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton seems like an unlikely but Valtteri Bottas may have a better chance and there is always a Fernando Alonso.
Here’s Sebastian Vettel making his ESports debut
Here’s Sebastian Vettel speaking on multiple topics to media
Here’s Ferrari clarifying Mattia Binotto’s statement
