Vettel to leave Ferrari
NAMPA/AFP
Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel on Tuesday said he would leave Ferrari at the end of the season.
No replacement was named for the German, who dominated F1 with Red Bull before switching to the Italian marque in 2015. He said his departure was a "joint decision".
"My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020," the 32-year-old said in a statement.
"In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony.
"The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season."
Not about money
Vettel, who has won 14 races with Ferrari and 53 overall in his career, said financial considerations played no role in his decision.
He said he would "reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future".
Yet it has been widely reported that Ferrari had offered him a one-year contract extension at a significantly reduced salary.
Vettel's departure will spark intense speculation about his replacement, with reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton among the drivers previously linked with Ferrari.
The Brit has indicated, however, that he will be staying at Mercedes.
For the best
Team principal Mattia Binotto said Vettel's departure was "a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best".
"It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian's worth as a driver and as a person," Binotto added.
"There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives."
Other names tipped to take over from Vettel are McLaren driver Carlos Sainz and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, while Antonio Giovinazzi would be a popular home choice for the Italian team's legion of fans.
Team spirit
Vettel had been under pressure from the strong performance of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in the 2019 season.
Leclerc said: "It's been a huge honour for me to be your teammate. We've had some tense moments on tracks.
"Some very good ones and others that didn't end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn't perceived this way from the outside.
"I've never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything, Seb."
Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel on Tuesday said he would leave Ferrari at the end of the season.
No replacement was named for the German, who dominated F1 with Red Bull before switching to the Italian marque in 2015. He said his departure was a "joint decision".
"My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020," the 32-year-old said in a statement.
"In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony.
"The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season."
Not about money
Vettel, who has won 14 races with Ferrari and 53 overall in his career, said financial considerations played no role in his decision.
He said he would "reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future".
Yet it has been widely reported that Ferrari had offered him a one-year contract extension at a significantly reduced salary.
Vettel's departure will spark intense speculation about his replacement, with reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton among the drivers previously linked with Ferrari.
The Brit has indicated, however, that he will be staying at Mercedes.
For the best
Team principal Mattia Binotto said Vettel's departure was "a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best".
"It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian's worth as a driver and as a person," Binotto added.
"There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives."
Other names tipped to take over from Vettel are McLaren driver Carlos Sainz and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, while Antonio Giovinazzi would be a popular home choice for the Italian team's legion of fans.
Team spirit
Vettel had been under pressure from the strong performance of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in the 2019 season.
Leclerc said: "It's been a huge honour for me to be your teammate. We've had some tense moments on tracks.
"Some very good ones and others that didn't end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn't perceived this way from the outside.
"I've never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything, Seb."
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