Vettel leaving Ferrari F1, Sainz taking over

The Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team released a statement confirming what most fans and pundits suspected was bound to happen: Sebastian Vettel will leave the Scuderia at season’s end.

After six years at Maranello, winning 14 times, along with multiple podium appearances, Ferrari and Sebastian failed to come to terms in their contract negotiations.

In a statement, Vettel had this to say “My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020. 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 realized that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season. Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.”

“What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one’s imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.”

“Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its ‘tifosi’ all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years.”

“My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far.”

Team principal Mattia Binotto added: “This is 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.”

“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”.

“Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us.”

“In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.”

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

While Sebastian stated that money was not the reason for his departure; It has been speculated that Vettel, who was getting €42M, was offered a substantially lower figure. Also a factor was the re-signing of Charles Leclerc last year, which provided the Scuderia with a driver more than capable of taking the team back to its winning ways, at a considerably lower retainer (€ 9M/year) was another factor in Seb’s decision.

It has been made clear that the future of Ferrari lies in the hands of Charles Leclerc, which was hard to accept for the four time champ.

Sebastian Vettel replaced Fernando Alonso in Ferrari back in 2015. It was quickly announced that Carlos Sainz will drive for the team in the 2021 and 2022 seasons of the Formula 1 World Championship.