Vettel has no plans to 'run away' from Ferrari F1 team in 2020

Sebastian Vettel insists he is not planning on “running away” from the Ferrari Formula 1 team before the end of the 2020 season.

Speculation has been rife about Vettel’s future and there has been suggestions that the four-time world champion could walk away from the team before his contract expires at the end of the year.

Such a scenario could pave the way for teams to make their 2021 driver changes early, opening the door for Carlos Sainz to move to Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo to McLaren, and the return of Fernando Alonso at Renault.

Ferrari has endured a torrid opening two rounds to the campaign and appears to have fallen into F1’s midfield pack, but Vettel dismissed the idea of him quitting the Italian outfit before the season is out.

“No I don't think so,” he replied when asked in an interview with F1 if an early exit was possible.

“So I'm not running away from it. I think I have something to prove mostly to myself. And that's why 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 could only finish 10th in the opening race at the Red Bull Ring, before he was taken out of the Styrian Grand Prix on the first lap by teammate Charles Leclerc.

The German’s future in F1 beyond the end of the year is looking increasingly uncertain with limited seats available.

With Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas expected to remain at Mercedes, Vettel’s only realistic shot of landing a drive appear to lie with either Red Bull or Racing Point, but both teams would need a change of heart after stressing they have no intention to change their driver line-ups for next year.

“Obviously my future at this stage is open. Anything is possible,” Vettel explained.

“If the right package comes up, then I’m very interested. If not, then I’m certainly not the type of guy that just hangs around just to participate or grab some money. That has never been my intention.”