Ferrari wants to finalize Vettel’s extension quickly
Scuderia Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel are in talks for a contract extension for the German driver. Ferrari wants to quickly finalize the deal to retain their driver.
During a press conference held with Mattia Binotto and his driver Sebastian Vettel during winter testing on Monday evening, both parties explained that they are in discussions about extending the quadruple world champion’s contract. Binotto reiterated that Vettel remains the number one choice for Ferrari.
The director of the Italian brand’s team sings the praises of his driver duo: « I have already mentioned it: Seb is our first option. As I have always mentioned, it is an excellent duo, probably the best we have in F1, so I am very happy and very proud to have them at Ferrari. »
The Maranello team thus wants to keep the Vettel-Leclerc duo for the years to come. Charles Leclerc is under contract with Ferrari until 2024.
Binotto explains that he wishes Vettel’s contract to be finalized quickly: « We are really starting an early discussion with Seb. We are all aware that the contract is ending, but it will come very soon to finish the discussion and see what is in the best interest for both of us. »
« What is more important is the project we share, even our longer-term vision, so we will reach an agreement very soon, I am sure. » adds the team director.
Vettel, for his part, is not really thinking about the end of his contract. He says he is relaxed and not particularly stressed about this deadline.
When asked if he thinks a lot about this contract, Vettel responds: « At the moment, we are very busy with other things and so right now I would say zero. Time will tell, but I think it doesn’t change anything for now. We know what we want to achieve, where we want to go, and where we are now. So the answer is still zero. »
2019 was a difficult season for the German with the arrival of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. The young Monegasque often challenged Vettel in both qualifying and races and finished ahead of him in the drivers’ standings. Nevertheless, Vettel stated that he is still as committed to racing as he has always been: “I’ve been here for a while, but I still love what I do. I love driving,” he explains. “I was really excited when I got in the car last week.”
