Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari at the end of the season - official

Sebastian Vettel is to leave Ferrari at the end of the season, the Scuderia has officially confirmed.

Vettel's failure to agree terms on a new contract will bring to an end his five-year stay with the team he joined at the start of 2015.

Speculation will now focus on his replacement, with McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo the frontrunners at this stage.

Speaking on his departure, Vettel said: "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.

"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."

Team principal Mattia Binotto said the decision not to renew Vettel's contract was "taken jointly...one which both parties feel is for the best".

Binotto added: "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."

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Could Vettel quit F1 for good?

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