Official: Vettel to leave Ferrari F1 team at end of 2020

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 F1 season, the team has confirmed.

The 32-year-old German's departure was confirmed today in a statement made by Ferrari, after talks to extend his contract broke down. It is not clear which team Vettel will move to, if he will take a break from the sport or retire. He is contracted to race in 2020 for the Scuderia, however.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said: "It was not an easy decision to reach given Sebastian's worth as a driver and as a person. 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."

In the statement issued by Ferrari, Vettel added: "My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020.

"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."

Vettel added: "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. 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."

Although Lewis Hamilton is out of contract at Mercedes and has long been linked to a drive with Ferrari, early reports suggest that Carlos Sainz Junior, currently at McLaren, and Daniel Ricciardo, currently at Renault, are vying for the drive.