Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari have announced they will part ways. His three-year deal with the Italian team is due to expire at the end of the 2020 season, however, contract renegotiations have broken down resulting in both Ferrari and Vettel mutually separating.
The supposed dream team of Vettel and Ferrari had hoped to emulate the great Michael Schumacher, but Ferrari has struggled to produce a championship winning cars and Vettel a drive to match. Factor in the added pressures of his young-gun teammate Charles Leclerc consistently outperforming him, and you’ve got a a situation where Sebastian’s reputation is tarnished on a regular basis.
Ferrari Team Principle Mattia Binotto said in a statement: ‘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.’
Not exactly a glowing eulogy from the Prancing Horse for their ex-number 1 driver, is it? The tone rather suggests that Ferrari were starting to see more potential in Leclerc than Vettel, and the German’s lack of stellar performances have caused Ferrari to sound pretty indifferent about resigning him. There has been plenty of speculation about Ferrari seeing Leclerc as their future star and how he is ready to take over Vettel’s mantle.
Vettel said: ‘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.’
That reads to us like a clear lack of faith that Ferrari can deliver the car he wants to be in. It’s cold, a little blunt, and quick to assert that money played no part. Our best guess is that a new contract would have put him on equal status to Leclerc – something that Vettel didn’t like one bit while at Red Bull. The combination of uncompetitive cars and no longer being Ferrari’s ace is what likely lead to the mutual split.
There are now two very big question marks in F1 that need to be answered. Firstly, where does Vettel go from here with seats being very limited for the 2021 season, and who will take his place at Ferrari?
The rumour mill around who will take Vettel’s seat at Ferrari has been churning for a while. Lewis Hamilton has reportedly been in talks with the red outfit, but later commented that he had no desire to leave the dominant Mercedes-AMG team. Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo is the favourite at the moment with a move from underperforming Renault.
As for Vettel, a seat will open when someone takes his at the Italian team, but at the moment an early retirement might be the most likely scenario, especially when his statement also contained this line: ‘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.’
There may be openings at McLaren or Renault, but front-running teams such as Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull have stated in the past they weren’t looking for Vettel to join or rejoin.
There might not be any F1 action on track, but there’s plenty of drama unfolding off it.
Keyword: F1 shock as Vettel leaves Ferrari