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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari prepares to drive in the garage before the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari prepares to drive in the garage before the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
In a shocking move, Ferrari had announced earlier last season that Carlos Sainz will replace Sebastian Vettel. The decision was abrupt and took the Formula 1 community and the German by surprise.
Vettel was meant to follow Michael Schumacher‘s blueprint of bringing in championships for Ferrari. However, for the 2021 season, the Maranello-based team decided to split with the third most successful driver in the history of F1. In a recent interview, Vettel looked back at the time he heard about the news.
The German clarified that Ferrari’s decision was confusing, at the least. “I don’t need to (understand Ferrari’s decision), to be honest, and it doesn’t change anything,” he added.
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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 31: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari prepares to drive on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 31, 2019 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“I don’t look at it that way. I don’t work that way. It’s fine for me and I completely accept it, and when Mattia told me on the phone, it was clear. It wasn’t like I was trying to fight back or convince him otherwise – not at all,” said the German.
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Sebastian Vettel thinks Aston Martin is a new opportunity
Following the decision, Sebastian Vettel had his worst Formula 1 season. However, the German decided to move on to Aston Martin this season and believes that it is a new opportunity for him to claim another championship.
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – APRIL 11: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on April 11, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“I think very much that if one door shuts another one will open, and obviously it took a bit of time and it raised a lot of questions about which door I want to open. It’s not that I had all of the teams of choice, but just in terms of what I want to do – more for the future, if I want to stay in Formula 1 or not.
“But obviously I’ve made my decision and opened the door.”
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Sebastian Vettel believes that his time in Formula 1 is not over just yet. The German will drive a Mercedes-powered Aston Martin next season. The British team, in turn, would really benefit from the former champion’s experience.
Do you think that Aston Martin and Vettel will help each other climb to the top of the podium?
