Sebastian Vettel is still “hungry” to win the Formula 1 championship at Ferrari as a new contract appears ever more likely for 2021 and beyond.
The future of the 32-year-old has become the biggest unknown in recent weeks, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen signing extensions at their respective teams and Lewis Hamilton also sounding more likely to remain with Mercedes.
On Wednesday, however, there was a small period of media hype when Vettel and Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto sat for a press gathering in Barcelona, but rather than any announcement, Seb insisted he still has the love for F1.
“I’ve been around now for a while but I still love what I do, I love driving,” said the German.
“I got really excited when I got in the car last week and very quickly got back into a rhythm and that feels great. The satisfaction you get from driving the car, I would still say feels the same.”
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Vettel’s position at Ferrari has come under threat, however, by the arrival of Leclerc last year and this season, both drivers will start with equal status.
But while some believe it’s only a matter of time before the Monegasque becomes the lead man at Maranello, the former Red Bull driver insists he can still get the job done.
“I’m here to win,” he declared, “and in that regard we had recent years when some were good, better than others, but none of them had been to our liking at the very end.
“I joined Ferrari to win the championship, we haven’t done that so far, it’s been a couple of years now, but the hunger, will and determination is still there inside the team. We are here to fight.”
And while names like Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and more have been linked to Vettel’s seat, team boss Mattia Binotto is still backing his driver.
“Seb is our first option,” he said. “As I always mentioned it’s a great line-up, probably the best in F1, of which I am very happy and proud.
“We started the early discussion with Seb and we are very aware that the contract is extinguishing,” he noted. “But it will come very soon to close the discussion and see what is in the best interest in both of us.
“What’s more important is the project which we’re sharing, even our longer-term view. I’m sure very soon we’ll come to an agreement.”