Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season, with the German facing an uncertain future in racing.
The sport’s oldest and most successful team announced the move in a statement on Tuesday after talks on a new contract ended without a deal.
“This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best,” Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto said.
“It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person.”
Vettel joined in 2015 with the dream of emulating seven-time champion Michael Schumacher in winning titles in the famous red cars.
Where the 32-year-old will go, whether he will remain in a sport whose delayed season has yet to start, and who might replace him are the big questions now.
“In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony,” said Vettel. “The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season.
“Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.”
“What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life,” added the father of three, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vettel said he would now take time “to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future”.
Binotto said there was no reason for the split “apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives”.
Leclerc, who won two races last year and is only 22, has a contract until 2024 and is seen as the future of the team.
The Monegasque outperformed Vettel last year in his first season at Ferrari, finishing ahead of him overall.
“It’s been a huge honour for me to be your teammate,” Leclerc said on Twitter.
“We’ve had some tense moments on tracks, some very good ones and some others that didn’t end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn’t perceived this way from the outside.
“I’ve never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything Seb.”
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, at Renault, and McLaren’s Spaniard Carlos Sainz have been installed as the leading candidates to take one of the most coveted seats on the grid.
Mercedes hint
Formula One champions Mercedes must .consider Vettel’s situation when deciding their 2021 lineup, team boss Toto Wolff said on Tuesday.
“Sebastian is a great driver, a major personality and an asset to any Formula One team,” said Wolff.
The Austrian is currently in negotiations with six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton over a new deal. “When looking to the future, our first loyalty lies with the current Mercedes drivers but naturally we must take this development into consideration.”
Hamilton and Finland’s Valtteri Bottas are out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season and Wolff's comments will be noted by both.
Though linked to Ferrari, Hamilton has indicated he plans to stay with Mercedes.
