formula 1
Rumors about Vettel, while things are getting worse and worse for him in the Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel and teammate Charles Leclerc at Silverstone
© Mark Sutton / DPA
Dismissed by Ferrari and demoted to his teammate: Sebastian Vettel experienced the blackest days of his Formula 1 career. His future is still open, but rumors of a new team persist.
It is not an exaggeration to speak of a real horror season for Sebastian Vettel. The Ferrari driver experienced the latest setback on Saturday afternoon during qualifying at Silverstone. For the four-time world champion, it wasn’t even enough for the third round of qualification. Only starting position twelve jumped out. It is particularly serious that his young team-mate Charles Leclerc was four tenths faster and was eighth in the non-competitive Ferrari. Once again Vettel drove after the young Monegasque.
Vettel experienced the blackest days of his great career. In addition to the permanent humiliation by Leclerc, Vettel also has to worry about his future in Formula 1. In May Ferrari announced that Vettel, after all four times world champion, would not get a new contract. In the future, Ferrari will rely on the young (22 years old), highly talented team-mate.
Vettel remains only a place in a middle class team
Rumors quickly sprang up that Vettel was in negotiations with Mercedes. His former employer Red Bull also came into play, but there is no vacancy among the top teams. With Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, both racing teams each have a number 1 and good auxiliary driver (Valtteri Bottas and Alexander Albon). One does not want to destroy the clear hierarchies with a commitment from Vettel.
Vettel will probably only have a place in a middle class team. For weeks the rumors have persisted that he could join Racing Point. Vettel is officially cautious. “It will go on for a few more weeks, nothing will change this morning,” said the Ferrari driver in an RTL interview in Silverstone. According to his own statement, Vettel cannot yet answer the question “at the moment” whether he will continue beyond this season or not. “I don’t see why I have to let myself be put under pressure. In a way, I’ve made my decision, now it will show whether something sensible comes together or not,” said the four-time world champion in the interview. Among other things, the possible future employees and the feel-good factor are decisive. “What is less important is what is written on the paycheck. The drive is to achieve something,” emphasized Vettel.
Italian newspaper announces agreement with Racing Point
Racing Point, the team of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, is interested in a big name for marketing reasons – and Vettel has that big name. In addition, Vettel has known team boss Otmar Szafnauer for years. The two were only recently seen again when they left the racing grounds together in Szafnauer’s Ferrari 488 Pesta. The excuse for the joint tour only increased the speculation: “He ran out of gas and because we had to go in the same direction, I drove with him to the gas station,” said Vettel: “Then he went home and I went somewhere else . ” The Italian “Gazzetta dello Sport” reported in any case that Vettel had already signed a contract for three years. Should that be the case, the year would at least end in a forgiving way for Vettel. More is not possible for him at the moment.
Sources: “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, “Motorsport total”, DPA
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