Sebastian Vettel has teased the possibility of leaving Ferrari at the end of this season.
The four-time world champion is out of contract at the Scuderia after 2020 and in recent weeks, all signs had been pointing to a renewal.
But now, while Vettel says he wants to remain in Formula 1 next year, he claims it may not be with the Italian team.
“I had a little bit of time in the winter and I used it to make up my mind that I definitely want it (to continue in F1) and that I still enjoy it,” he told Germany’s Bild.
“But there is [a chance I could switch teams], I think there is even an example of a German who went somewhere else after Ferrari if I remember correctly.”
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Of course, that man was Michael Schumacher who left Maranello in 2006 only to return at Mercedes four years later, teaming up with Ross Brawn.
And ironically, the German manufacturer is of the more likely options with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton out of contract also, though his old team Red Bull has already ruled out a return.
On Ferrari’s side, team boss Mattia Binotto has been keen to say Vettel is the first choice to stay on for 2021first choice to stay on for 2021, but one Italian journalist, La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Pino Allievi, believes the 32-year-old should go.
“Vettel with Ferrari has run its course,” he claimed, speaking to the Pit Talk podcast. “He had to give more; he never understood the Ferrari mentality.
“He had chances to win but never exploited it.
“After six years it’s okay to change, it’s healthy for Ferrari, less so for Vettel.”