Paris (AFP)
Quadruple German world champion Sebastian Vettel, 32, will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season, the Italian Formula 1 team announced on Tuesday, but did not specify the name of its successor.
"It was a decision that was made by mutual agreement between ourselves and Sebastian and the two sides considered it to be in their best interest. It was not an easy decision to make because the value of Sebastian as a pilot and as a person, "said Mattia Binotto, the boss of the Scuderia, quoted in the press release.
Arrived at Ferrari in 2015 to succeed the Spanish Fernando Alonso, Vettel will not be like the latter not successful in his bet to bring back a title of world champion driver to the legendary Italian team. The last to his record is that of Kimi Räikkonen in 2007 with a last constructor title the following year.
The German won his four titles at Red Bull (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) and won a total of 53 victories, including 14 for Ferrari.
Last year he suffered the burst of his young Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc who stole the show and established himself as the dominant driver at Ferrari where he won last season two victories for one at Vettel, allowing himself even ahead of him in the World Championship standings. Leclerc, 22, renewed his contract with Ferrari in December until 2024.
Rumors are rife about the name of Sebastian Vettel's replacement at Ferrari.
That of six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is coming to the end of his contract with Mercedes at the end of the season, has been put forward, but the Briton has suggested that he will stay with Mercedes. Also mentioned are the names of the Australian Daniel Ricciardo, currently with Renault, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (McLaren) and the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa-Romeo).
The announcement comes when the 2020 F1 World Championship has not yet started due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the date of the first race still uncertain.
© 2020 AFP