“There was never an offer”- Sebastian Vettel claims he was surprised with no offer by Ferrari

“There was never an offer”- Sebastian Vettel talks about his failed contract talks with Ferrari, which enforces his departure by 2021.

Long before the start of the 2020 season, Sebastian Vettel announced his departure from Ferrari, much was speculated after the news came out in public, but Vettel kept silence and minimum public appearances for long.

However, ahead of the start of the Austrian Grand Prix, the German driver for the first time talked about his failed contract talks with the Italian outfit, which now propels his departure by the start of the next season.

“There was no sticking point. It was obviously a surprise to me when I got the call from Mattia when he told me that there was no further intention from the team to continue. We never got into any discussions, there was never an offer on the table and therefore, there was no sticking point.”

Vettel says he has not yet had talks with any other team about a potential seat for next year and says he would be prepared to walk away from F1 if he could not find an environment he was happy with.

“At the moment I’m not really having any [talks],” he explained. “Looking forward obviously I want to make sure I make the right decision for myself and my future.

“I think I have a very competitive nature. I’ve achieved a lot in the sport and I’m motivated and willing to achieve more. To do so, I think, I need the right package and the right people around me. So that’s what I’m looking out for at the moment.

“If the right opportunity should arise, then I think it is quite clear. If that’s not the case, then I probably have to look out for something else.”

The above statements by Vettel clarify a lot of doubts which were going on for more than a month. Carlos Sainz has been confirmed as the replacement for Vettel from next summer onwards.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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