Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel leaves the Ferrari team after the current (yet to start) Formula 1 season. That makes the Scuderia officially known. The German driver has been with the team since 2015 and pursues his dream of becoming a champion in red.
After six seasons with Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel (32) has called it a day. The world-famous racing stable and the driver from Heppenheim do not renew their contract expiring this year. “This decision was made by Sebastian and us and feels best for both parties,” said team boss Mattia Binotto. “There was no specific reason for this decision, except for our shared and friendly feeling that we should each go our separate ways to achieve our own goals,” said the Italian. Vettel himself adds that money does not play any role, but that there is simply no longer a need to continue together. He hopes the current season (which still has to start) to provide some nice moments for Ferrari and its fans. It is not yet known who will succeed Vettel. In the corridors Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz are mentioned. World champion Lewis Hamilton is likely to remain with Mercedes after this year.
Vettel joined the Scuderia in 2015, already holding four world titles. He achieved all of that at Red Bull Racing in the V8 era of Formula 1. When the current hybrid powertrain entered, Red Bull fell considerably in shape and Vettel decided to follow in the footsteps of idol Michael Schumacher by transferring to Ferrari to step. The ultimate goal was of course the world title, but that has not yet succeeded. Vettel did win 14 victories for Ferrari and he had a serious chance of winning the title for a long time in 2017 and 2018. Whether he will still succeed this year remains to be seen. Ferrari’s form in the winter tests did not inspire confidence. The 2020 Formula 1 season is likely to start in Austria in early July.