Vettel could sign new Ferrari deal before first grand prix

Sebastian Vettel believes his Ferrari future could be resolved before the first race of this uncertain Formula 1 season.

Now in his sixth campaign with the Scuderia, Vettel is out of contract at the end of the year, although has previously made clear his desire to stay.

Team principal Mattia Binotto has also stated Vettel is Ferrari's "first option", and that the 32-year-old German is very much appreciated by the team.

In light of the current lockdown, it would appear there is time on the hands of both parties to get a new deal signed sooner rather than later.

As to that possibility, Vettel said: "It depends on how long this period is going on. The main priority after Australia [after the race was cancelled], was to understand what we were dealing with.

"To some extent it's still not quite clear, in terms of the situation that's going on, ensuring the health of the employees, of Ferrari and so on. Obviously, Italy was hit, as one of the first countries in Europe, and the main focus was there.

"We will still have more time in the next weeks. By the looks of it, the first grand prix is not due for a while, unfortunately, but it gives us more time to cover more ground in this regard, yes."

With the first race of any season not due to be until the end of June, start of July, at the earliest, Vettel appreciates his situation could be finalised before then.

"One of the key things for everyone, no matter whether you are in sports or not, is to remain patient," said Vettel.

"Looking at myself, it obviously depends on when we will have the first race, and there is a chance we will have to make a decision before there will be the first race, and at the moment it looks like there will be no race before June or even July.

"At the moment we are all waiting. As I've said previously, the main priority at first was to ensure that we dealt with the situation in the right way, and therefore everything was put on hold. I can imagine that was the same everywhere, and it was the same for us.

"We will make progress, but I don't think there's a real timeline. Whether that's before the first race or not, depends on when we have that first race."

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