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The two most important questions raised by sensational development are: Will Vettel move to another team? And who will replace it in one of the most coveted seats in the sport?
The dynamics at Maranello changed dramatically over the course of 2019 when Charles Leclerc proved to be even more competitive in his first season with the team than anyone expected.
Ferrari and the rest of the world always knew he was good, but from the start he regularly beat Vettel in qualifying, often beat him and made fewer critical mistakes. And he wasn’t shy when it came to asserting himself, both on and off the road. And he did it all in style and style that appealed to everyone at the camp.
By signing it for a five-year contract, Ferrari made it clear that the Monegasque driver represented the team’s future.
With Vettel’s current contract expiring in late 2020, there would always be an intriguing debate between the team and the four-time world champion, the situation became more complex as the sport went into recess.
Ferrari had to decide, assuming the main option was to extend the Vettel deal, for how long they wanted to keep it, while keeping a close eye on the younger drivers who, like Leclerc, represent the future.
Given that many contracts expire this year, one goal that Ferrari wanted to achieve was clarity at a relatively early stage, not to be left in the fall in a situation where the most desirable candidates were engaged elsewhere in the long term.
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
In a call to reporters exactly a month ago, Vettel suggested that the matter could be resolved before the season’s delayed start.
“Obviously it depends on when we will have the first race,” he said. “And there is a possibility that we will have to make a decision before there is the first race, because right now it looks like there will be no race before June or even July.”
“So I think we are all waiting. But as I said earlier, the main priority, at first, was to make sure that we were dealing with the situation in the right way, and therefore everything stopped. And I imagine it’s probably the same everywhere. “
When asked if he would still compete in the age of new regulations delayed in 2022, he suggested that he intended to be close.
“I think whatever the deal is, I think it will be whatever is comfortable for me and the team,” he said.
“So in terms of duration, I don’t know. Normally, the contracts I’ve had in the past were all I think a three-year contract is.
“I know I am one of the most experienced drivers in F1, but I am not the oldest and I don’t think there is an age limit in this regard, you know.” So I think, as I said, we will decide what we are comfortable with. ”
It is understood that Vettel was offered a one-year contract with an option for one more year, and that he preferred a longer team commitment.
As widely reported, he was also offered less money than he was used to, which sources said was the “same state” as his younger and less experienced teammate.
Such negotiations are always complex when they involve one of the big names of the time, and on the driver’s side, satisfaction comes from a combination of the salary offered and the feeling that you are a wanted and considered an absolutely key part of the company. equation, and the first, of course, is a factor of the second.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
In today’s official Ferrari statement, Vettel denied that money was the reason, but is inextricably linked to the compromise issue.
“The team and I have realized that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season,” he said.
“Financial affairs have played no role in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain decisions, and it never will be. “
The frustration on both sides is that the season has not started. We should now have been in six races, with a clear picture of where the competitive team is in the wake of last year’s engine controversy, and secondly how Vettel and Leclerc compare. Clearly, Vettel was hoping to go out and fight, having had a winter to leave his 2019 disappointments behind.
As for his future, it remains to be seen if he accepts that the 2020 season will be the last or if he is already actively looking for options elsewhere.
Vettel is a family man, and will be 33 years old in July. Like everyone else, he found himself in a place and enjoying a different kind of life than he had been used to since he embarked on a karting career.
You may no longer feel like committing yourself to staying on top of the sport.
He hinted at that in today’s statement: “What has happened in recent months has led many of us to reflect on what our real priorities are in life. One needs to use his imagination and take a new approach to a situation that It has changed. I will take the time to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future. “
So what if you intend to compete in 2021? The problem is that there is so much uncertainty about the future of the sport and its finances in the current climate. Without teams still signed with the new Concorde Agreement, it is difficult for anyone to make a significant commitment, especially in terms of a mega salary.
It would have great appeal for Mercedes, and it’s easy to speculate on a direct trade with Lewis Hamilton. The World Champion has long made it clear that he is committed to his current home, hinting at a role as a long-term Stirling Moss ambassador.
However, finishing one’s race at Ferrari is tempting for anyone, and we know that the two sides have blew each other.
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG W10, leads Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF90
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
More significantly for Hamilton is that the future of Mercedes is a bit confusing, especially regarding Toto Wolff’s position, and that has made the game a little more possible than a year or two ago. Lewis’s relationship with Wolff is a key part of the equation, and he will be eager to know what is going on.
A return to Red Bull for Vettel has good symmetry, and will certainly delight Honda. But getting into a team now firmly built around Max Verstappen would be a case of a pan on fire for Vettel. The team is also quite satisfied with the fast, cheap and luggage-free Alex Albon, which was gaining momentum late last year.
McLaren has also been mentioned, and Vettel would have great appeal for Andreas Seidl, with whom he worked in his BMW Sauber days. Also, through an engine deal, it would take you to the broader Mercedes field.
However, the team that is pushing the most for tight budgets is unlikely to have the salary funds Vettel would require. There’s also a question about whether he really wanted to take on a “project” in the manner of his friend Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo, and spend a year or two chasing the top six results.
Realistically, there are three main names on the Ferrari list: Antonio Giovinazzi, Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.
The former is a Ferrari protégé and officially the reserve driver, and it would be logical to see him follow the Leclerc route moving from Alfa Romeo. He got off to a rough start in his 2019 season, but he made some strong displays later in the year.
However, his relative lack of experience counts against him, despite the fact that Leclerc made the move after a year.
During the winter he made a great effort to improve his game, and he really hoped to overtake Raikkonen in 2020, but the lack of racing means he hasn’t had that vital opportunity to earn miles and demonstrate what he can do against Kimi. The good thing for him is that he is already in the camp and that he will not go anywhere else.
Ricciardo and Sainz are ideal candidates for Ferrari, their faces seem to fit.
Long mentioned in relation to Ferrari, the Australian is older, more experienced, and a proven winner of the race, while Sainz had a great season in 2019, and is getting better and better.
But both men bring similar assets in terms of speed and overall talent. They are also good team players who could join Leclerc and survive in the difficult environment of Ferrari.
Ricciardo also has the benefit of having shown in 2014 that he could face and beat Vettel, that is something useful to have in his CV.
The two men have followed similar career paths, with their paths crossed several times. If Sainz leaves McLaren, then Ricciardo, who almost joined the team earlier, would be an ideal replacement at Woking camp.
One thing is for sure: There may not be much F1 action on the track right now, but there will be a lot behind the scenes. And you can be pretty sure that Fernando Alonso will also announce his interest in the Ferrari seat …
Fernando Alonso
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
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