The pandemic and its effects have made Ferrari change its mind on Vettel

He suspected the question was going to come up. It didn't take long for it to explode. During the launch of the SF1000 at the beginning of February, Mattia Binotto announced that Sebastian Vettel was his first choice to continue supporting Charles Leclerc after 2020. On May 12, when the divorce was finalized, there was talk of a mutual decision. 

Yesterday at Red Bull Ring, the four-time German world champion, created a surprise by affirming that the Scuderia had chosen not to renew him unilaterally. Present at a press conference this Friday, Binotto did not deny the words of his future ex-pilot. 

« Over the winter, we stated publicly and privately that keeping Sebastian was our priority., declared the head of Gestione Sportiva. We were asked by several pilots to find out if there was a vacant position, it's not a secret. This did not change our position: Seb was still our first choice. 

What happened next ? The Coronavirus pandemic has turned everything upside down. Expenditure controls have really tightened, the 2021 technical regulations have been postponed, and aerodynamic development frozen between 2020 and next season. The situation has changed entirely. 

On top of all that, no race could take place so Sebastian did not have the opportunity to demonstrate that he was still as motivated to continue with Ferrari. It's a shame for him. During the closure of the factories, we reviewed our position and made this decision. It is our responsibility. He was informed of this. He says he is surprised, I want to believe him, I understand him perfectly. Did he accept this choice? I'm not 100% convinced he's happy about it. Which is normal. 

Seb is a great champion and a really good guy. Everyone loves working with him and on a personal level, he is a real pro who I also appreciate off the track ».  

Expected for 2021 and initially set at $175 million (160 million euros), the budget ceiling was lowered to $145 million (132 million euros) to try to stem the current health and economic crisis. However, pilot salaries are not included in the expenditure framework. 

From then on, we can wonder if Ferrari, realizing that its new SF1000 was poorly born and that it would serve as a basis for the car 2021, preferred to part ways with a Vettel not really inclined to wait until 2022, in the best case scenario, to return to the top.