Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari at the end of Formula 1 season

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the decision was mutual and was “not easy to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person”.

He added: “The time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.” Vettel said there was “no longer a common desire” to work together.

The German four-time world champion added: “In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. “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.” 

Vettel’s team-mate Charles Leclerc, whose starring performances in 2019 effectively forced Ferrari and the 32-year-old into this position, said: “It’s been a huge honour for me to be your team mate. 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 team-mate. Thank you for everything Seb.” 

Spaniard Carlos Sainz, currently a McLaren driver, is among those who have been linked to Vettel’s seat. 

If Sainz leaves McLaren, one option for the team is Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo. 

The Australian had serious talks with McLaren in 2018 when he was weighing up whether to leave Red Bull, before finally deciding to move to Renault.

Ricciardo is known to be unsettled at the French team and has talked about moving on. Vettel could also be an option for McLaren, if he felt he was prepared to move to a team that was going through a restructuring process.

If not, the options for him to continue in F1 are bleak. The factory Renault outfit might be an option, but they - like McLaren - are in a rebuilding process and may not be attractive to such an illustrious name.