The Covid-19 crisis pushed Ferrari to separate from Vettel

2020-07-04T00:11:38.277Z

Mattia Binotto, the boss of Scuderia, returned on Friday to the departure at the end of the season of the German. A unilateral decision.

Divorce by mutual consent was not one. During the announcement in mid-May of Sebastian Vettel's departure at the end of the season, Ferrari had suggested that the decision had been made by mutual agreement. The German set the record straight on Thursday at the recovery press conference in Spielberg, Austria. "We never started discussions, there was never an offer on the table and therefore there was no sticking point," said the quadruple world champion, "surprised to receive a call from Mattia (Binotto, the boss of the Scuderia) saying that the team did not intend to continue. ”

»READ ALSO - What end for Sebastian Vettel with Ferrari?

At the end of the first day of free practice this Friday when Vettel seemed in rhythm (4th at 0''657 from Hamilton) despite a car announced badly born aerodynamically, Mattia Binotto confirmed the version of his future ex-pilot. And clarified the reasons for this unilateral decision. “We have always said during the winter, in private and in public, that Seb was our first choice, which I confirm. What has happened since? The coronavirus and the pandemic, which have changed the whole world, not just motorsport or F1. On top of that, the season hadn't started, so Seb didn't have the opportunity to hit the track to show us how motivated he was to drive for Ferrari, "said the boss. the Scuderia.

"We have made a decision, our decision"

Mattia Binotto

“So Ferrari ended up reconsidering its position. We made a decision, our decision is our responsibility and we announced it to him, he continues. I heard he was surprised. I remember he was surprised, yes, I understand, it's pretty normal. Although he accepted our decision, I recognize that even today he is not fully satisfied with it, which is normal and obvious. ”

At 33, he celebrated this Friday, Sebastien Vettel is playing his 6th and last season in the red racing car, where the Spaniard Carlos Sainz will take his place in 2021. The former Red Bull prodigy explained on Thursday that he would not dismiss any option for the future: "I am very competitive by nature, I have already done a lot in this sport and I am motivated and eager to do more. For that, I need the right car and the right people around me, that's what I'm looking for. ” Adding that it would be "probably time to do something else" if no opportunity arose, the quadruple world champion remains calm. "You have to be aware of the decisions you make and that is why I am not in a rush." It must be said that summer, the usual F1 transfer season, has only just begun. And there is room at Mercedes and Renault for 2021.