Vettel didn’t share same ‘short or long-term goals’ as Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari because both parties didn’t share the same “short or long-term goals”, according to the team’s Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto.
The four-time world champion and Ferrari are parting ways at the end of the 2020 season following a six-year partnership that has so far amassed 14 grand prix victories but as yet no world championships.

Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari because both parties didn’t share the same “short or long-term goals”, according to the team’s Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto.
The four-time world champion and Ferrari are parting ways at the end of the 2020 season following a six-year partnership that has so far amassed 14 grand prix victories but as yet no world championships.
Talks over a new contract broke down without agreement and Ferrari acted swiftly by swooping for McLaren’s Carlos Sainz as Vettel’s replacement on a two-year deal that was announced on Thursday morning.
It has been reported that Ferrari was only willing to offer a one-year extension on a significantly reduced salary, though Vettel insisted the decision was not down to financial matters but rather because they no longer have a “common desire to stay together”.
Speaking at the Motor Valley Fest event in Italy on Thursday, Binotto said: “When taking these decisions it’s because we are convinced we made the right decision.
“We closed a cycle with Sebastian, it’s been six years he has been working in our team. I admire Sebastian as a person and as a driver. I hold him in great esteem.
“Over the last weeks, the world has changed, not only from an economic point of view but also from a technical and sporting point of view.
“There are challenges and obstacles ahead. We are laying the foundations for our future. And we want to have a specific perspective.
“We discussed it with Sebastian and we found out we didn’t share the same short or long-term goals.”
EDITOR'S PICKS: How Vettel's Ferrari dreams collapsed under the weight of expectation.
Sainz will join Charles Leclerc - who signed a new long-term deal until the end of 2024 over the winter - to complete Ferrari’s youngest driver pairing since 1968 when he arrives from McLaren at the end of the season.
The Spaniard claimed a career-best result of sixth place in the championship on his way to helping McLaren secure fourth in the constructors’ standings during an impressive 2019 campaign in which he also took a maiden F1 podium in Brazil.
“Sainz is a great addition,” Binotto explained. “He’s very smart, young, but he has participated in five seasons.
“He’s a strong, reliable driver that has scored a lot of points and I believe he is a great driver to be paired with the pure talent of Charles, so that he can grow and win.”