The 2020 Formula 1 World Championship has yet to even start and it’s being reported that Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of this season.
The four-time world champion joined Ferrari in 2015 but has been unable to repeat the championship-winning success he had during his time at Red Bull Racing. His current contract was signed in August 2017 and due to expire at the end of 2020, BBC reports. A formal announcement about his departure could be made on Tuesday.
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Italian media claims that Ferrari offered Vettel a one-year contract for 2021 but at a vastly reduced salary. This comes after Ferrari showed its commitment to young Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc by securing him until the end of 2024 with a new contract and establishing him as the outfit’s number 1 driver. Last year, Leclerc outperformed Vettel with wins, poles, points and average qualifying pace.
A number of drivers are said to be vying for Vettel’s seat. One candidate is Daniel Ricciardo who joined Renault at the start of 2019 and has a contract until the end of 2020. It is claimed that Renault has already made Vettel an offer because Ricciardo has lost his desire to continue racing for the struggling French team, opening up the possibility of him moving to Ferrari, something he has expressed interest in previously.
Carlos Sainz is also considered a candidate for Vettel’s seat. The 25-year-old performed very well with McLaren last year and could trade places with Vettel. Lewis Hamilton is also out of contract at the end of this season but has repeatedly said he wants to stay with Mercedes.
