Sebastian Vettel will be leaving Ferrari following the 2020 Formula 1 season after both parties agreed not to renew his current contract.
The four-time world champion made what was his dream move to the Scuderia back in 2015 as the hybrid era brought his ultra-successful period with Red Bull to an end.
However, despite some positive moments, errors by both sides at crucial times have meant Vettel and Ferrari couldn’t sustain a season-long title challenge against Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
Then, last year, the arrival of Charles Leclerc changed the atmosphere within Maranello, as the Monegasque gradually earned himself equal status alongside Vettel and ultimately finished ahead in the championship by the end.
During this current enforced break due to the coronavirus, speculation has suggested Ferrari offered Vettel two new contracts to stay but with a much-reduced salary.
Ultimately, however, both sides have now decided to go their separate ways.
“This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best,” team boss Mattia Binotto said in a statement.
“It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person. There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.
“Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us.
“In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.
“On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments.
“We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season.”
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