Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel officially announce that they have jointly decided to part company, the German insisting that financial matters played no part in the decision.

In a brief statement issued this morning, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel announced that they have jointly decided not to extend the current contract covering the German's "services as a driver with the team, beyond its current expiry date of the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season".

"This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian," said Mattia Binotto, "one which both parties feel is for the best.

"It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian's worth as a driver and as a person," he added. "There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.

"Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia's history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us. In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers' Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team's constant presence in the top three of the Constructors' classification.

"On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments. We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season."

"My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020," added Vettel. "In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. 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," he added. "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. One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.

"Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its "tifosi" all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years.

"My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far."

"It's been a huge honor for me to be your team mate," tweeted Charles Leclerc. "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 perceive this way from the outside.

"I've never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate.," he added. "Thank you for everything Seb."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Lapps, 13/05/2020 8:29

"Whoops! Yes all these bleedy Aussies must look alike to me. ;-)"

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2. Posted by Egalitarian, 12/05/2020 23:04

"@Lapps - do you mean Ricciardo rather than Webber? I'm still a big fan of Webber, but Vettel's 2013 was pretty dominant - always useful for you when fully supported by the team.
My feeling is that it was Ricciardo was the one who surprised Vettel in 2014 .
@ Motorsport-fan. That would be interesting but I would like to see Renault put more financial backing into acquiring designers and engineers rather than drivers. As much as I like Ricciardo, and I really like him, he doesn't appear to have represented the best value. That said, would Renault's car have been even less competitive in 2019 if it wasn't for him? Hard to know really.
Cheers"

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3. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 12/05/2020 12:19

"Apparently Renault have offered Seb a contract."

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 12/05/2020 10:37

"Whoever it is will have to be prepared to cheat."

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5. Posted by Lapps, 12/05/2020 9:54

"Respecting his four Titles, I never did understand why Ferrari signed Seb when he had just been handed his ar*e by Mark Webber. A hiding like that must have a lingering psychological effect. I was certainly a first for Ferrari in driver selection.
Having said that I hope Seb finds a billet with a decent Team where he can give us 'Kimi' type entertainment."

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6. Posted by imejl99, 12/05/2020 8:45

"1. If there will be a season this year, it well may be Vettel`s fifth, as he is under no pressure now, and it is anyone guess how competitive cars will be after all this time...

2. I would like to see Ferrari go brave, and bring Mick Schumacher to F1."

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7. Posted by Burton, 12/05/2020 8:19

"In other news, Daniel and his advisory team to start pronouncing his surname correctly asap."

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8. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 12/05/2020 8:02

"Sainz or Ricciardo?"

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Official: Vettel to leave Ferrari

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