Binotto: Vettel and Ferrari did not share 'the same goals'

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has said that the goals of Sebastian Vettel and the Formula 1 team were no longer compatible.

On Tuesday morning Ferrari confirmed that Vettel would not be racing with the team past the end of his current contract.

Speaking at the Motor Valley Fest in Modena on Thursday, Binotto explained some of the thinking behind the decision.

"When taking these decisions it is because we are convinced we've made the right decision, and we are pretty happy," said Binotto. "We close a cycle with Sebastian. It's been six-years that Sebastian has been working in our team.

"I admire Sebastian. I admire him both as a person and as a professional driver. I hold him in great esteem.

"Beyond that, over the last weeks, the world has changed. Not only from an economic point of view but also from a technical and sport point of view. There are challenges ahead and obstacles which are going to be difficult.

"We are laying the foundations for our future, and we want to have a specific perspective. We discussed [this] with Sebastian, and we found out we didn't share the same goals, short or long-term goals."

In a flurry of announcements on Thursday morning, Ferrari confirmed that McLaren driver Carlos Sainz has been selected to fill the short-lived vacancy.

Before you leave...

The week that Formula 1 forgot the 'c'-word

Dear McLaren family: A letter from Sainz

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