- Vettel and Ferrari to part ways at the end of the season.
- The Italian manufacturer chose Charles Leclerc as the No.1 driver.
- Vettel’s poor stint in Ferrari ends in a disappointing manner.
Shocking News From Maranello
Four-time Formula One champion, Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari decided to end their cooperation after the end of the 2020 season. It is a decision which raised many questions and caused numerous reactions inside the racing community.
The two sides issued a joint statement, which was revealed yesterday. The team has stated that it is a hard decision, but the best for both sides.
“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,” said Mattia Binoto, the team’s principal.
Scuderia stated that there isn’t a particular reason for this action, except for a desire to reach their respective goals, which is impossible with the current situation.
On the other side, Vettel revealed that there isn’t a common desire on both sides for further partnership, and that finances don’t have anything to do with it. According to German’s words, the recent events made him change the way he prioritizes things, though he wouldn’t mention which events.
“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,” Vettel stated.
We aren’t sure whether he is talking about the COVID-19 pandemics and everything this disease caused, or he speaks about the way Ferrari treated him in the last year or so.
Leclerc To Become No.1 in Ferrari
It is no secret that the Prancing Horse decided to side with Charles Leclerc, and make him the No.1 in the team for the upcoming season. During the 2019 campaign, he and Vettel had several issues, which weren’t resolved very peacefully, and according to the experts for Formula One, in almost each one of them, Ferrari was backing Leclerc.
The change of strategy of the Italian manufacturer was definitely confirmed this summer, when they offered Vettel a one-year contract extension, with a lower salary than the current. It was a signal that they don’t have championship intentions with him anymore.
The German’s stint in Ferrari will definitely end disappointingly. At the time of his arrival from Red Bull, he was a four-time champion, in a position to break numerous records and became arguably the best driver of all times. However, things didn’t develop in the desired direction.
His departure at the end of the season opens two questions. The first one, where will he go, and the second, who is going to replace Seb?
Right now, there aren’t too many options for Vettel, and he would have to wait for the season to end before making any plans. On the other side, the biggest candidate for his replacement is Daniel Ricciardo, who is currently Renault’s driver.
