After five years with the most mythical figure in Formula 1, there will be no continuation for Sebastian Vettel in Ferrari after 2020. The decision is said to be joint, but will come after a long contract negotiation where the parties are said to have stood far apart.

“The stable and I have come to the conclusion that we do not want to continue together after this season. Finance has played no role in this joint decision. It is not something that affects me when I make important decisions and it will never be, ”says Vettel in the statement.

No easy decision

"It was not an easy decision to come to, given Sebastian's value as a driver and person," Ferraris boss Mattia Binotto said in the statement.

Vettel is thus without a contract for 2021 and it is unclear if he even continues in Formula 1. The Corona pandemic has meant a financial blow to the car class of the car sport and there are few vacancies among the top figures.

"For my own part, I intend to take some time and think about what is really important when it comes to my future," says 32-year-old Vettel.

Challenged by Leclerc

This year's season had to be interrupted just days before the Melbourne premiere in March due to the corona pandemic and it is unclear when the next grand prix can be run even though plans are in place for a race in Austria in early July.

The German Vettel settled into Formula 1 in the late 00s and took his World Cup titles for the Red Bull stable before coming to Ferrari for the 2015 season.

He won 14 races in the red Italian car, but last year was challenged by new stable mate Charles Leclerc who won two races, while Vettel had a tough year. The young monegasque is seen as Ferrari's future promise.