Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of 2020

The announcement will have the merit of waking up the paddock F1 on this Tuesday morning. Sebastian Vettel and Team Ferrari have announced that they will not extend their joint adventure beyond 2020, the German not renewing his contract with Maranello.

During confinement in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the quadruple world champion spoke about his future, with the possibility that the decision is made before the start of the season. Something now confirmed today.

“To achieve the best possible results in this sport, it is essential that all parties work in perfect harmony, explains Vettel. The team and I realized that there was no longer a common desire to stay together beyond this season.

Financial issues played no role in this joint decision. This is not the way I make certain choices and it never will be. »

Sebastian Vettel remains very cautious about his immediate future in motorsport, and does not intend to make any other decisions quickly. “What has happened in recent months has led many of us to reflect on our true priorities in life, continues the ex-pilot Red Bull.

You have to use your imagination and adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to think about what really matters for my future.

Scuderia Ferrari has a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it achieves all the success it deserves. I would like to thank the entire Ferrari family and especially its fans from all over the world, for the support they have given me over the years.

My immediate goal is to finish my long stint at Ferrari, hoping to share more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have experienced so far. »

Mattia Binotto, Director of Sports Management at Scuderia Ferrari, looks back on the contribution of his driver, who has never been crowned in red, one of his objectives when arriving in Italy in 2015.

“It was not an easy decision to make, given Sebastian's value as a driver and as a person, observes the Italian. No specific reason led to this decision, other than the common and friendly belief that the time has come to separate to achieve our respective goals.

Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia's history, with his 14 Grand Prix victories, making him the team's third most successful driver, and he is also the one who has scored the most points with us .

During our five years together, he finished in the top three in the Drivers' Championship three times, contributing significantly to the team's consistent presence in the top three of the constructors' standings.

On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I would like to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has demonstrated over these five years, during which we have shared so many great moments.

We haven't managed to win a world title together yet, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe we can still make the most of this particular 2020 season. »

If a world title for his departure would be the greatest gift to Scuderia Ferrari, and in addition to his future (or not) in motorsport, the question of replacing Sebastian Vettel within the Italian team will also arise.

Without a doubt, this first stone laid on the 2020-2021 transfer market will launch the domino game in a very short time.