Sebastian Vettel has indicated he could have a new deal done with Ferrari before the F1 season eventually starts after being put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The four-time world champion will be out of contract at the end of 2020 but is keen to stay.

Ferrari have said Vettel remains their first choice to partner young Charles Leclerc, but reports in Italy have suggested they want an answer by the end of April.

“I think one of the key things right now for everyone, whether you are in sports or not, is to remain patient,” Vettel told reporters on a conference call. “It obviously depends on when we will have the first race and there is a high chance that we will have to make a decision before that... because at the moment it looks like there will be no race before June or even July.”

The German was coy when asked whether the next contract would be for just one year now that major 2021 rule changes had been delayed to 2022.

“I think the deal will be whatever I and the team will be comfortable with,” he said.

Five of F1’s seven British-based teams have furloughed staff in response to the health crisis, with drivers taking a temporary pay cut.