Ferrari are considering their options after Sebastian Vettel refused an initial contract offer for 2021, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims.
The four-time world champion becomes a free agent after this year and it was reported several weeks ago on Sky Italia that the Scuderia had put forward a proposal that would see Vettel stay for one more year but with a reduced salary.
Well, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the number offered was just 12m Euros, a huge drop from the 40m Euros per year in his current deal, so perhaps then it’s unsurprising the German has apparently said no.
If true, Vettel’s refusal is slightly surprising given he has privately agreed to a pay cut amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and has previously claimed money wouldn’t be a motivation in deciding his future.
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Still, Ferrari is now thought to be considering their alternatives, with three familiar names touted.
Daniel Ricciardo, who was linked to the team in 2018 and is out of contract at Renault. Carlos Sainz who is similarly free from McLaren after 2020 and with whom a potential swap deal with Vettel has been suggested. And Antonio Giovinazzi, who of course is part of the Ferrari Academy.
Of them, the last two would be cheaper than the 12m Euros offered to Seb, so that could put pressure on the 32-year-old if he sets his demand too high.
