Ferrari Gives a Major Clue on the Team’s Next Driver

Earlier this year, the F1 world was abuzz when Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen extended their contracts. Of course, everyone soon began to talk about driver contracts and which drivers go where. After a while, everything died down apart from a couple of stray rumours here and there. However, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel dropped a bombshell earlier this week, where the German driver chose to leave.

With no Vettel, the F1 driver market is blown wide open, with Ferrari eager to fill in the void. For most F1 drivers, driving for Ferrari is an absolute privilege, so the race for the coveted seat could be on fire. As per the rumour mill, the Maranello outfit could recruit McLaren driver Carlos Sainz to succeed Vettel in 2021.

Recently, Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo spoke on the matter. He said, “Give another youngster a chance? I would like to do it for Ferrari, but not a young driver coming from Formula 2, but rather a young driver who already has a few years of experience. That would be much better.”

What else did the Ferrari owner say?

That kind of description fits Carlos Sainz Jr to a T. Although he is only 25, he has more than 100 Grands Prix races under his belt and a fair wealth of experience. His only challenge could be maintaining a good relationship with the team and Charles Leclerc. Vettel’s departure only underlines how important that is at Ferrari. Ferrari already sees the exit as the end of a marriage.

The 74-year old continued, “I had a lot of confidence and appreciation for Sebastian because he has driven so many great races. We don’t live well together anymore and we will get a divorce. It is like a marriage that ends. I don’t know if he didn’t understand the car or if we didn’t understand, but things like that can happen”.