Mercedes have signalled there is no intention to consider Sebastian Vettel for 2021, even if news of his Ferrari exit can’t be “ignored”.
On Tuesday, the Italian team confirmed a joint decision between themselves and the four-time world champion not to renew his contract beyond the end of 2020.
While it is understood Vettel’s replacement has already been signed, Lewis Hamilton has often been mentioned as a possible replacement and team boss Toto Wolff has even previously claimed a swap of the two drivers couldn’t be ruled out.
Reacting to the news, however, the Austrian began by paying tribute to the German.
“Seb is a great driver, a great personality and an enrichment for every F1 team,” Motorsport-Total.com quoted him as telling Germany’s DPA news agency.
However, as for any impact it may have on Mercedes, Wolff added: “With a view to the future, we are first and foremost committed to loyalty to our current Mercedes drivers, but of course we cannot ignore this development.”
Both Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are out of contract themselves after 2020.
Also Read: