Binotto 'very happy' for Vettel to join Mercedes

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says it is important for Sebastian Vettel to find a seat for the 2021 Formula 1 season, even if it is with Mercedes.

When announced that Vettel would leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season, rumours suggested the German had been unhappy with the contract offer put forward by Ferrari.

Both the pay packet and the contract length were called into question.

"No, that is not true," Binotto told Marca. "It is simply that things have changed, and we are looking at a new cycle, and it seems that this vision, in terms of timing, did not coincide with its vision. It was not because of the type of offer or its duration."

He added: "Without a doubt, for many reasons, Ferrari loves Sebastian as a driver and as a person, he is part of our team, our project, so it is never an easy decision.

"Seb was our first option and then the Covid arrived, a situation that has changed many things, from the regulation to the budget ceiling, things that have changed the vision of the situation, looking ahead as with the new car, postponed to 2022.

"Difficult internal reviews had to be done, and that's what we did."

Vettel has since been linked with drives at Racing Point, the team to become Aston Martin in 2021, Renault, and Mercedes.

Binotto said: "I hear rumours that you can find him in Mercedes and I would be very happy for him, I really would be."

Before you go...

Balance of performance has 'no place in Formula 1' says Wolff

Brawn: 'Serious people' looking to invest in Williams

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have blown glorious F1 title opportunity with spectacular Italian GP implosion

• 25 minutes ago

The extraordinary timeline of Pierre Gasly's unbelievable Italian GP pole position

• 57 minutes ago

Lewis Hamilton boost as F1 rival hit with Italian Grand Prix penalty after qualifying

• 2 hours ago

Toto Wolff blames Max Verstappen for Mercedes losing Italian GP pole position: 'We got done over'

• 3 hours ago

F1 Qualifying Results: Pierre Gasly takes staggering pole position at Italian Grand Prix

• 3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton brought his 'lucky dust' to Monza, the most important woman in his life

• Today 15:50