F1 World Reaction to Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari Exit Announcement

Following Sebastian Vettel’s shock announcement that he is parting company with Ferrari at end of season, we take a look at how the Formula One world is reacting to this shock development. 

In his press statement, Vettel stated that he believes “… that there is no longer a common desire to stay together…” with Ferrari, who described the split as “a common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways…”

This announcement has thrown the F1 world into shock, with Racing Point quickly putting a satirical spin on things. so do as they say and ‘grabs popcorn’ for what promises to be an entertaining read.

*opens twitter*

*sees @ScuderiaFerrari news*

*abandons content plans for the day*

*grabs popcorn*

— BWT Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) May 12, 2020

Vettel’s current teammate, Charles Leclerc meanwhile paid tribute to the four-time world champion, describing it as a ‘great honour’ to have partnered the German at Ferrari.

It’s been a huge honor for me to be your team mate. We’ve had some tense moments on tracks. Some very good ones and some others that didn’t end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn’t perceive this way from the outside.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/cN0E9t3huw

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 12, 2020

I’ve never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate.
Thank you for everything Seb. pic.twitter.com/jRHEsvMYvg

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 12, 2020

Ex driver and now Sky Sports F1 commentator – Martin Brundle meanwhile reckons that Vettel is in talks with another team, whilst believing that the German’s decision stems from various incidents throughout last season.

Seb definitely talking with at least one other team so this can’t be just about retirement. The release makes it clear it’s not about money. It obviously can’t be about this season’s performance. So must be about status and controls generated from the bruising incidents of 2019 https://t.co/M5widTn75S

— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) May 12, 2020

Brundle’s co-commentaor, David Croft meanwhile is tipping Vettel for the retirement door.

Ferrari and Seb to part ways at the end of this season. Big news, obviously, and reading these quotes I wonder if Seb might be about to retire? And if it’s not about the money, what were the reasons why BOTH said it was time to part ways? https://t.co/sy5kj3J95P

— David Croft (@CroftyF1) May 12, 2020

Ex HRT and Lotus driver, Karun Chandhok instead offered an alternative view on Vettel’s  announcement, pointing out the impact that this could have on Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations with Mercedes.

Side effect of Seb leaving Ferrari is that Lewis has now got more power in his negotiations with Merc…. or Ferrari??!!

— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) May 12, 2020

F1TV host, Will Buxton elsewhere seems to be already missing preparation for Monaco, as he bemoaned what could of been a hectic media day next Wednesday ahead of the Monaco GP weekend if it hadn’t been cancelled.

Bloody hell can you imagine what media day in Monaco would have been like…

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) May 12, 2020

Autosport journalist, Luke Smith meanwhile pondered whether Vettel’s former Red Bull teammate – Mark Webber could of unwittingly predicted this scenario by pointing out two unwittingly cryptic comments from 2014.

Can’t help but think of Mark Webber’s comments in 2014…

“I think Seb will do everything early in life. He’s got his titles and his results early, he’s going to have a kid early and I think he’ll retire early.

“He’ll probably take a blast in the red car, then sayonara”

— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) May 12, 2020

Now, we want to know where you think Vettel will be come come 2021 in a special poll, which can be found below.