Well, it’s official, Sebastian Vettel’s dream stay at Ferrari is coming to an end after both sides agreed to part ways after 2020.
Ultimately, it’s a decision that seemed inevitable ever since the Italian team chose Charles Leclerc to replace Kimi Raikkonen last year, and the Monegasque did exactly what most expected by proving himself more than a match for the four-time world champion.
We could talk about whether Vettel was still at the peak of his powers and point to the critical mistakes that have blighted his past two years.
But realistically, Vettel simply got a taste of his own medicine having been deprived championships by the dominance of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, just like Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were denied titles by his domination at Red Bull.
Still, now its time to look ahead at who comes next to Ferrari and fills the seat alongside Mr Leclerc.
It is widely speculated the decision is between three drivers, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz and Antonio Giovinazzi.
For many, Ricciardo is the man who should move to Maranello and he is arguably the most qualified of the three with previous top-team experience, and enjoys a very healthy friendship with Leclerc, making them a formidable line-up.
Sainz maybe the most likely given the financial demands the Australian may have and also because, if Vettel is to continue in F1 next year, a simple swap deal with McLaren would be the most efficient.
Finally, Giovinazzi gets a mention as the in-house talent at Ferrari but has yet to really prove himself worthy of a race seat in red.
So that’s the three main contenders, but there is another name that keeps getting mentioned and that is, of course, Lewis Hamilton.
The six-time world champion is himself out of contract at Mercedes after this year and now, following Vettel’s announcement, enjoys a very strong negotiating hand in talks.
It is known Mercedes’ parent company Daimler is eager to cut costs, and even more so now due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But whereas before Hamilton may have had to more flexible in terms of his financial demands, now he could turn to Ferrari to get what he wants.
Hamilton also already enjoys a relationship of sorts with the company as a Ferrari owner, and it was news of meetings with chairman John Elkann that triggered the whole F1 speculation in the first place last year.
Whether the Italian team could give him exactly what he wants is unlikely as they too try to reduce costs, though it’s likely they could offer Lewis more than what Mercedes could.
But why would Ferrari want to sign Hamilton when they already have Leclerc lined up as their long-term driver, I hear you ask?
Well, it’s simple, it’s Ferrari.
The decision in 2018 to promote a 21-year-old into a race seat was seen as groundbreaking, so to designate him as the team leader at 23 would frankly be unheard of.
There is also still a question mark over whether Leclerc is ready to lead the Scuderia and, while Ricciardo would be very good in helping him develop into that role, Hamilton would guarantee results.
Some may say there’s a risk in putting someone with the status of Lewis alongside Leclerc because if he was to beat him it could dent the Monegasque’s confidence.
But these youngsters certainly are not afraid of Hamilton and if anything Charles would probably relish the chance to prove himself against a potential seven-time world champion, while also continuing to develop.
And don’t forget, Ferrari would do nothing to jeopardise their investment in Leclerc, so they would certainly give him the same equal status with Hamilton that he currently enjoys with Vettel.
For that reason, a Hamilton move makes so much sense because they can continue to nurture their future star, while also doing the Ferrari thing of signing an established star in the push for championship glory.