Vettel adamant he will not quit Ferrari before season end

Sebastian Vettel

Vettel adamant he will not quit Ferrari before season end

Four-time F1 champion has a point to prove to himself

Sam Hall

Sunday 12 July 2020 08:00

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Sebastian Vettel has vowed he will not walk out on Ferrari before the end of this Formula 1 season.

With the Scuderia clearly struggling for pace this year, Vettel's final campaign with the team appears set to end on an unhappy note.

The four-time F1 champion's options for 2021 are also fast running out in the wake of Renault signing Fernando Alonso, while Red Bull and Racing Point insist they will not be recruiting the 33-year-old.

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Vettel, though, is determined to leave Ferrari with his head held high and is willing to see out the year.

Asked if an early exit from Ferrari was possible, speaking to F1TV, Vettel replied: “No, I don't think so.

"So I'm not running away from it. I think I have something to prove, mostly to myself. And that's what I'm here for.

“Obviously, a lot of guys in the team have given so much to me in the last couple of years, and just out of respect I want to give that support back and bring it to a worthy end, so I'm not at all even considering running away.”

Vettel recognises that with his future decided early this season, that has created an added difficulty, in addition to dealing with a car that is off the pace.

"The fact that I am in a team that I will not stay for longer, I think that's a challenging situation for both the team and myself, but I think we just try to make the best out of it," said Vettel.

"Obviously, my future at this stage is open. I need to decide what I would like. I am competitive, so if the right package comes up then I'm willing to give so much more.

"If not, then it's obviously a big one to think about doing something completely different."

At this stage, though, Vettel is still uncertain as to what the future holds, adding: "I don't know. This is the honest answer.

"I haven't signed anything, I have no contract for next year or beyond, so anything could be an option - remaining in Formula 1, taking a break or quitting."

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