• Enzo Ferrari: Genesis, glory and decadence of the Scuderia

On September 24, 1993, after the first free practice of the Portuguese GP, Alain Prost called a press conference to the great surprise of the journalists. "A month ago I made the decision of my retirement. I want to leave it on top," said the Frenchman, who only days later would round off his fourth world title in Estoril. At 38, Prost looked just as tired of Formula 1 as Sebastian Vettel , another four-time world champion, six years younger. A week after his farewell to Ferrari, the unknowns about the future of Vettel dot the news of the Great Circus.

"If you ask me about his future, I can only say that he is passionate about this sport. He will want to return, although he will also have to think about some things," Mattia Binotto , head of Vettel at Scuderia, said on Sunday , without offering more details on the true reasons. They can guide the German, whose annual salary was close to 25 million euros.

The current prospects for Formula 1, mired in a deep economic crisis, make a similar contract unfeasible for Vettel, who must cut his claims if he intends to play the 2021 World Cup. The drop in performance on the track, especially compared to his dominant stage in Red Bull, also raises doubts among those interested.

"No room for two alpha males"

Renault seems the only viable option for Seb , who aspires to fill the vacancy left after Daniel Ricciardo left for McLaren. An all or nothing bet for Ciryl Abiteboul , team leader, whose future seems even darker after the arrival of Luca di Meo at the top of the diamond brand.

Vettel, who turns 33 on July 3, has hit several doors slammed in the past few weeks. One of the most painful has come from the mouth of Christian Horner , his former boss at Red Bull, now delivered to the will of Max Verstappen . "It would not be the most appropriate thing to have two alpha males in the same garage," reiterates the Briton.

"A good marketing story"

Another old friend of Vettel like Toto Wolff has also been unable to offer him more than empty words. "A German driver in a German car would be a good marketing story," said the Mercedes leader, who doesn't even seem willing to offer an opportunity at Aston Martin, the team where he also has a significant shareholding pinch. "It would be an interesting option, but we prefer to squeeze our current drivers," said Otmar Szafnauer , who will lead the project in 2021 , this morning .

"Vettel is not among the priorities on our agenda," confirmed Wolff, more pending to promote George Russell , his great weakness, on loan at Williams since 2019. The charisma of this young talent, like that of Lando Norris at McLaren, contrasts with the apparent abulia of a Vettel every day more resigned to goodbye.

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  • Sebastian Vettel
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