all or nothing? – Vettel poker game for Mercedes seat

Will Mercedes take two world champions? (Photo: AFP)

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FERRARIS ‘DREAM IS OVER

Within a few days, the pilot market was completely shaken: the unexpected announcement of Sebastian Vettel’s departure came first, then Daniel Ricciardo’s contract with mclarenes became official, and it soon became clear that Carlos Sainz Jr. would arrive at his German spot. at Ferrari. Therefore, the most frequently mentioned option was quickly unavailable to Vettel, and more and more news is coming out that the German is saying goodbye not only to the Maranellos but also to Formula One. The tone of the competitor’s announcement was also not It’s about the sequel, but rather stopping, and Sergio Pérez also feels that his rival is closer to retiring than a contract with another team.

Dressed in red in 2015, Vettel’s big dream was to win the World Cup trophy with Ferrari, with which his childhood hero Michael Schumacher won five World Championship titles in a series and became the most successful driver in the Serie. Although Vettel was able to get on the podium in his first Ferrari race, and in the next race he could hear the German and Italian national anthems that the hero on the top rung played so often, the real goal, the big dream, did not come true. .

During the 101st Grand Prix, 12 poles, 54 podiums and 14 victories were written next to Vettel’s name – more than once Niki Lauda (15) and Schumacher (72) He could win with the Italians. However, his real chance was not to win the championship, despite leading the individual table many times during the year, at the end of the season there was always hope, to which the team and its mistakes contributed a lot. The real low-flying began at the 2018 German Grand Prix, where Vettel put Ferrari in the lead, and soon after, news came of the death of former Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne: Vettel was no longer really himself.

The young and talented Charles Leclerc, who arrived the following year, was increasingly put in the background, and rumors of his retirement also multiplied. Last year’s Italian GP was also decisive as Vettel made another spectacular mistake and ultimately ran out of a point while reaping his second victory in the Monaco series, standing on the top rung of the special podium facing the Red Sea saluting to Typhos. Perhaps this is where Vettel’s Ferrari dream, which has come to an end, was permanently sealed. At the same time, he became a new leading figure for the Maranellos.

While it is not possible to know what this unusual season will bring, if it really begins, it is true that, under the changing circumstances, knowing that the development of various elements has frozen next year, it is highly questionable how impossible the situation is. Vettel. within the team

“It is a bit like a marriage: a beautiful story that could have been even more beautiful is now coming to an end. Both the team and the competitor have certain things that no longer allow coexistence, so we separated. I trusted Sebastian and appreciated him, he did a lot of great races with us. So I don’t know what happened. Maybe he didn’t understand the car, maybe we didn’t understand him. That kind of thing happens. ” – declared the son of the founder of Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari, Piero Ferrari.

Something broke at Vettel after Hockenheim (Photo: AFP)

HOW TO GO, BUY?

Already if there will be a sequel at all. For Vettel, the arrival of Ricciardo closed the door to the most mentioned McLaren, an option that seemed much more promising than Renault. The French team appears to be the biggest loser in the pilot market movement: Ricciardo’s hopes for a future project were quickly lost, and rule changes postponed to 2022 after the economic recession caused by the coronavirus epidemic further pushed the success. ask the other teams. If Ricciardo left for the first time, what could motivate Vettel to arrive?

While it was Renault’s appeal that helped the German to all four world championship titles in early 2010, it doesn’t appear that the team can achieve any significant short-term success at the moment. In addition, the name of Fernando Alonso appears more and more on the Enstones: the Spanish could open his third chapter with them. If Vettel doesn’t step in, this session could be sold out, though, perhaps he wouldn’t mind, as the latest press releases aren’t trying to get ready to go back to midfield and then build something that’s not safe to lead to success.

The latest news is more about a last try, about a poker game in which Vettel placed all his chips on a base of everything (Mercedes) or nothing (withdrawal).

Red Bull has already made it clear that it cannot launch a life preserver to its former champion, but the pilot has been harassed multiple times with Mercedes in the past, and after news of his departure, the head of the “silver arrows” team Toto Wolff, who is very fond of German, also indicated that he would not leave. Although it was available with Vettel, but the fact that both Ferrari seats were full greatly reduced the chances of marriage between the German driver and the German team.

Although Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton’s contract expires at the end of the year, the scenario of the six-time world champion wearing red unexpectedly is no longer alive, so the Finn would have to leave to free up a place in the champion. defender. However, why would Mercedes want to lock two pipers (world champions) in an inn? Vettel would definitely not assume the role of water bearer, he felt uncomfortable even with Leclerc …

Another less mentioned option is Aston martin It may be on Vettel’s list: a 2021 factory team, with a Mercedes resource, with big goals. It’s a thought-provoking opportunity, but success isn’t guaranteed here anytime soon, nor should it be forgotten that Sergio Perez signed with the guard for several years, and Lawrence Stroll would certainly not expose his son, Lance Stroll, for the good from the German, even if the quadruple world champion also.

Vettel is now faced with an important question and, as he said, he must first realize what is important to his future. Do you still love competing enough to embark on a brand new build, or would you rather say goodbye to Formula One if you don’t have a chance for short-term success?

One thing is certain: the clock is ticking. The places are running out …