F1: Sebastian Vettel Could Join This Team As Ferrari Announce The Four-Time Champion’s Exit In 2021

Sebastian Vettel will part ways with Ferrari at the end of the current season, the Italian team announced Tuesday.

The start of the 2020 F1 season, however, has repeatedly been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It is also understood that Vettel does not have a lot of options for a new team. Unless he is ready to move to McLaren, a team under a transformation phase, his future looks blurry in F1.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, in an interview, said the decision was “mutual” before adding, “the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.”

Even Vettel has made it clear that there was “no longer common desire” to work together. “In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. 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 is 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,” the four-time world champion further added, as reported by BBC.

In 2019, Vettel’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc's superior performances are understood to be the major reason behind this step taken by the "Prancing Horses". Even though there were several heated moments between the teammates, Leclerc, reacting to Vettel’s exit news, has said, “I have never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything, Seb.”

“It's been a huge honor for me to be your teammate. We've had some tense moments on tracks. Some very good ones and some 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,” Leclerc further added.

Earlier, Vettel had admitted that he looks to stay at Ferrari beyond his current contract. However, the report has stated that Vettel was forced to take a stern call after Ferrari offered him an immensely reduced salary and a shorter deal than he wanted.

Vettel, who joined Ferrari in 2015, had a chance to win the driver’s title in 2017 and 2018 when Ferrari had a faster car than Mercedes. However, mistakes from the driver and the team caused their major downfall. His tensions with Leclerc also did not help his cause.