Four time World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, will not be racing at Mission Winnow Scuderia Ferrari after the end of this current season, due to a brake down in contract negotiations.
Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 having won back to back World Championships with Red Bull Racing. His aim was to emulate the successes of his racing hero, Michael Schumacher, by achieving a World Championship with one of the most prestigious racing teams in history, Ferrari.
Unfortunately, this move came at the dawn of Mercedes' dominance. However, in his five years at the team he has become a part of their rich history being the third most successful driver in terms of wins, with fourteen, whilst also securing the most points.
This news comes as a shock to many as contract negotiations have been ongoing for several months now, with Ferrari Team Principle Mattia Binotto saying the German was his number one choice.
However, the two have been unable to reach agreeable terms within a new deal, leading to them parting ways.
In a statement released by Ferrari itself, Vettel assured this parting of ways was not related to financial factors instead saying, "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."
He went on to reference the current situation of the Coronavirus, "What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life... I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future."
It is still unknown as to what Sebastian will do next, whether he will stay in Formula One at another team or if this is really 'arrivederci'.
Already, both Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo have been linked to the Ferrari seat.
It is a well known fact that Daniel Ricciardo's move from Red Bull Racing in 2018 was one with the intention of going to a team that could give him the chance of winning a World Title, Mercedes or Ferrari. However, at that time contracts with their current drivers were already pre-existing, instead the Australian moved to Renault where he is notably unsettled. Could this be the opportunity the Australian has been waiting for, as his contract ends at the end of this season.
The other option is Carlos Sainz who has shown his true racing worth at McLaren, scoring their first podium after a five year drought. If Ferrari were to chose Sainz, either Sebastian or Daniel could replace him at McLaren.
Alternatively, Ferrari may chose Antonio Giovinazzi who was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and is currently racing for Alfa Romeo, a team closely affiliated with Ferrari.
Although not much is known as to who will replace the 32-year-old, what is certain is that Sebastian now heads into his final season with Ferrari - assuming it even starts with the current global pandemic.
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