Multiple reports from the German media suggests that Sebastian Vettel will be parting from Ferrari at the end of the 2020 F1 season.
Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 after ending a successful six-year term with Red Bull Racing. However, this will reportedly come to an end at the end of the 2020 F1 season, as negotiations for a contract extension between the two have fallen through.
Discussions have been on between the two amid COVID-19 pandemic with Vettel reportedly looking for a multi-year contract. Even in his recent interview, the German has talked highly of Ferrari, with the intention to stay in with the Italian manufacturer.
However, German media like Bild and AMuS along with others joining in have reported that the end is certain and the announcement is set to happen on Tuesday, May 12. There were suggestions that Vettel had been proposed a contract roughly on par with Charles Leclerc.
It is worth to remember that the Monegasque has a long-term contract with Ferrari with a good financial deal. The reports stated that Vettel refused the initial proposal with a secondary offer made from the Ferrari contingent which didn’t see light as well.
As was previously alluded to, Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015, after a rough 2014 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 has been little off-colour with plenty of mistakes. The 2019 season saw Leclerc join the crew which initiated the young vs experience rivalry after a relatively calm relation with Kimi Raikkonen.
It remains to be seen where he ends up if indeed the contract is not renewed. 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 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, 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. Lewis Hamilton is unlikely but Valtteri Bottas may have a better chance.
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
UPDATE: The news has been made official, here – https://formularapida.net/ferrari-confirms-vettel-split-as-he-feels-perfect-harmony-no-longer-there/