On this first real day of Formula 1 2020, with the press conferences of teams and drivers in Austria on the eve of the first race weekend of this year, the most anticipated words were probably those of Sebastian Vettel. For the German it was the first official outing in the media from ‘separated at home’ after the non-renewal of the contract with Ferrari, which will end his adventure in red at the end of 2020. Teased on the subject, the German spoke quite clearly and frankly, starting from the same question of (non) prolongation.
“Mattia Binotto called me and told me that there would be no more room for me in Ferrari. I was very surprised. There has never been any offer by Ferrari to continue “ declared the four-time world champion, thus denying the rumors that during the quarantine they had spoken of a lack of economic agreement and the duration of the engagement between the parties involved. Vettel has put the ball back in the field of management and it will be interesting to see if a confirmation or a denial will come from Binotto to the words of his pilot.
The former Red Bull standard bearer, who is currently without a contract for 2021, hasn’t even dodged questions about his relationship with his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Sparks were on the track between the two last year. Vettel has made it clear that this year, except in special situations, he has no intention of stepping aside just because he will leave the team at the end of the season: “I have always tried to integrate well into any team – pointed out the Heppenheim native – you always think about personal results, but you drive for a team. If it makes sense to respect a team order, both drivers are expected to help each other. I certainly won’t let Leclerc pass and I will fight on the track as happened in 2019 “ he concluded.
–
