'Nobody at Ferrari wants to see Vettel leave'

Veteran Italian Formula 1 journalist Leo Turrini has scotched suggestions that Ferrari are looking to move on from Sebastian Vettel. It was recently suggested that Vettel may be considering retirement by the end of the year, amid Ferrari's early season struggles.

Vettel was classified second in Monaco last time out, his best result from the opening six races of the season – all of which have been won by either Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas.

The German had been tipped as a pre-season title favourite after Ferrari were impressive in testing, but the SF90 has not lived up to the hype.

Regardless, Turrini used a post on his blog to hit back at claims that the Vettel-Ferrari relationship may be nearing its conclusion.

"At the moment nobody at Ferrari wants to see Vettel leave," Turrini wrote.

"In Maranello, they are well aware that Captain America could drive the car, but he would not be able to win the championship.

"Certainly Vettel currently has a feeling of legitimate frustration.

"He is in fifth year in Italy, he has given so much, he has made some mistakes, he has won a dozen grands prix or so.

"In my opinion he deserves much more respect in the world of the media and social media, but I don't expect that my opinion is shared."

Any Vettel departure would heighten speculation of Hamilton moving to Maranello, as has been the case through much of the Briton's F1 career.

"I don't think Hamilton is ready to come and dress in red," Turrini wrote.

"Things have taken a (ugly!) turn such that in the next 18 months Lewis could equal the mythical Schumacherian record of seven titles.

"At the same time, there is no need to have read Freud to understand that LH would like, in perspective, to succeed where Alonso failed and where, up to this point, Vettel is struggling."

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