Pandemic sealed Vettel’s departure, says Ferrari boss

TIL Desk Sports/ Sebastian Vettel was Ferrari’s first choice to stay and partner Charles Leclerc in Formula One next year until the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, team principal Mattia Binotto said on Friday.

The four-times World champion, who won his titles with Red Bull, will now be replaced by Spaniard Carlos Sainz who joins from McLaren at the end of the season in a decision announced in May.

Vettel, who celebrated his 33rd birthday at the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday, had expected to remain and said on Thursday he was surprised by Ferrari’s decision. The German revealed also that there had never been an offer on the table.

“Certainly we have always said during the winter time privately and publicly that he would have been our first choice, which I confirm,” Binotto told reporters in a video conference at the Red Bull Ring.