Horner confirms an 'emotional' Vettel is heading to Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel has just sent the F1 Silly Season into overdrive.
Pat Fry, Ferrari Deputy Technical Director and Head of Race Engineering with Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
XPB Images
There's a storm brewing in Suzuka and it's name isn't Phanfone.
We've waited, and waited, and waited. Now the biggest domino has fallen. Many thought it would be Fernando Alonso who set it all into motion, but alas, it was four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
He will still be close to our hearts at Red Bull, but on January 1st, he will be a competitor.
Christian Horner on Vettel
With Vettel gone and Kvyat moving over to Red Bull, that leaves two questions. Who fills the second Toro Rosso seat and more importantly, where is Vettel going? All the signs point to Ferrari, and Christian Horner confirmed it himself while talking to reporters in Suzuka.
Ferrari move confirmed
Christian Horner: "Obviously Ferrari have made him a very attractive offer."
It doesn't get much more cut and dry than that. What else did Horner have to say to eager reporters in Suzuka? Well, a lot.
I don't think he's taken the decision lightly. He was very emotional.
Christian
"I think the lure of Ferrari, a window has opened there with whatever is going on and he has decided the timing is right for him," added Horner. "That is his choice, and he has been around long enough to know his own mind. He doesn't have a manager and doesn't have people that surround him. He has made this decision and we respect that."
Red Bull learned of Vettel's decision last night
"I obviously know him very well, we spend a lot of time together and you can see that he has had a bit on his mind recently. It was last night he sat down with us and informed us."
"I don't think he's taken the decision lightly. He was very emotional. Everybody was emotional. If it's his desire to be somewhere else, it's not right to stand in his path. We've had some great times. He'll always be a great part of what we've achieved
"So all I can do is wish him the very, very best for the future. He will still be close to our hearts at Red Bull, but on January 1st, he will be a competitor."
Little point in holding Vettel to his contract
"If somebody's heart is not there, it doesn't matter what you have on a piece of paper," he said. "It has to be right for both sides. He has reached a stage in his career where he fancied a new challenge, that is his prerogative and, like in any relationship, if somebody's heart is not in it then it is time to move on."
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments