But, having previously won 38 races with Red Bull, Vettel has said his
decision to leave is not down to a drop in performance.
“This is not a decision against Red Bull, it is for something else,” he said.
“Red Bull did nothing wrong, we part as friends and it has nothing to do with
the results even though they are not what we expected.
“I am loyal and I did not breach any contract. I am not running away from
anything but there are times in life when you need something new and if
there is an opportunity you have to grab it.”
Ferrari is almost certainly Vettel’s destination as he looks set to replace
two-time champion Fernando Alonso at the Italian marque.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Vettel had been made a good
offer by Ferrari – but warned his current driver he could end up behind a
Red Bull for much of next season.
“Ferrari have made him a very attractive offer,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“It was a pretty busy evening. Obviously it was pretty emotional. We’ve had
five fantastic years and won eight world championships together.
“Sebastian has thought long and and hard about this and decided that the time
is right for him to take on a new challenge.
“If someone’s heart is not 100 per cent in his workplace then it would be
wrong to force them to stay…He’s a wonderful driver and we’ve enjoyed six
fantastic seasons with him. But he will be a competitor from January 1 and
he’ll be looking at a Red Bull rear wing for a while.”
With Vettel departing, Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat will step up to the senior
team – the latest of Red Bull’s junior drivers to make an impact on the
sport.
Vettel himself honed his craft at Toro Rosso with Ricciardo, who admitted he
was ‘a little surprised’ with the news and has also raced with the feeder
team. Ricciardo will look to build a good understanding with Russian Kyvat –
who Horner described as ‘the best option’.
With Vettel seemingly on the verge of joining Ferrari, it is likely that Red
Bull’s announcement will kick-start a wave of driver changes with several
other big names still unsure of their future.
Two-time world champion Alonso has not committed his future to the Italian
team and, with Vettel all-but confirmed for 2015, a move elsewhere – most
likely back to McLaren – looks likely with the other option seeing the
Spaniard take a self-imposed one-year sabbatical from the sport.
That in turn throws into doubt the destiny of 2009 champion Jenson Button,
whose deal with McLaren expires at the end of the season.
The Brit has been confident of retaining his seat with the Woking-based team
and could yet form a strong partnership with Alonso were McLaren to decide
to keep the 34-year-old on when the team switches to Honda engines next year.
The 27-year-old has won the last four drivers’ championships whilst with Red
Bull but a statement circulated early on Saturday morning confirmed the
German was leaving.
The current season has proved more challenging for Vettel, who is currently
fifth in the drivers’ standings going into this weekend’s Japanese Grand
Prix – 117 points adrift of leader Lewis Hamilton.
With the new regulations and a Renault power unit that has been outclassed by
that of Mercedes, as well as new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo picking up three
wins to Vettel’s none, he will leave Red Bull having relinquished his firm
grip on the title.
Team principal Christian Horner has suggested a deal has been struck that will
see Vettel drive for Ferrari next year, as the Austrian team named Daniil
Kvyat as his replacement following talks on Thursday night.
“Ferrari have made him a very attractive offer,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“It was a pretty busy evening. Obviously it was pretty emotional. We’ve had
five fantastic years and won eight world championships together.
“Sebastian has thought long and and hard about this and decided that the time
is right for him to take on a new challenge.
“If someone’s heart is not 100 per cent in his workplace then it would be
wrong to force them to stay…He’s a wonderful driver and we’ve enjoyed six
fantastic seasons with him. But he will be a competitor from January 1 and
he’ll be looking at a Red Bull rear wing for a while.”
Through their press release the team wished Vettel well in his future
endeavours and praised his work during his stint with them.
“Sebastian Vettel has advised us that he will be leaving Infiniti Red Bull
Racing at the end of the 2014 season,” it read.
“We want to warmly thank Sebastian for the incredible role he has played at
Infiniti Red Bull Racing for the last six years.
“Since joining the team in 2009, Sebastian, together with Infiniti Red Bull
Racing, has scored 38 wins, 44 poles and eight World Championships,
including four drivers’ titles and four constructors’. If you include
Sebastian’s success at Red Bull’s second team, Scuderia Toro Rosso, the Red
Bull total increases to 39 wins and 45 poles.
“As we wish Sebastian well in the next stage of his career, we also look to
the future with excitement, as the vacancy makes way for the next generation
of Red Bull racers.
“The Red Bull Junior Programme has developed some proven talents in recent
times, including Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, who has excelled in
the RB10 and become a three-time Formula One race winner in his first season
with the team.
“We’re pleased to announce that Daniel will be joined in the team for 2015 by
another rising star from the Junior Programme, Daniil Kvyat.
Kvyat, 20, currently races for Red Bull’s junior marque Toro Rosso and Horner
described him as the ‘best option’ as the Russian will join fellow graduate
Ricciardo in the senior team next year.
With Vettel seemingly on the verge of joining Ferrari, it is likely that Red
Bull’s announcement will kick-start a wave of driver changes with several
other big names still unsure of their future.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has not committed his future to the
Italian team and, with Vettel all-but confirmed for 2015, a move elsewhere –
most likely back to McLaren – looks likely.
That in turn throws into doubt the destiny of 2009 champion Jenson Button,
whose deal with McLaren expires at the end of the season.
The Brit has been confident of retaining his seat with the Woking-based team
and could yet form a strong partnership with Alonso were McLaren to decide
to keep the 34-year-old on when the team switches to Honda engines next year.