Sebastian Vettel : What Are His Options for 2021 After Ferrari Exit?

Ferrari is officially in Sebastian Vettel’s rearview mirror. After 5 years of ups and downs with the iconic Italian team, Sebastian Vettel will bid adieu at the end of 2020. That ends one chapter but it also marks the beginning of another. Where does Vettel go from here? Another team? Or would he walk away from the sport entirely? Seb has a few options to choose from after he leaves Maranello.

Sebastian Vettel: Potential teams in 2021

While McLaren already has two young and talented drivers in their ranks, they may need a strong replacement soon. According to many reports, Ferrari is considering the Spaniard as one of many potential replacements. Should Sainz leave, a swap with Vettel could end up happening. Moreover, many rumors suggest Vettel shares a strong bond with team principal Andreas Seidl. The pair have worked together in the past and it wouldn’t be too crazy to imagine them teaming up again.

With Mercedes powering McLaren from 2021, Vettel could still be in the mix for one last competitive run in F1. However, McLaren has a stable driver pairing in Norris and Sainz, which the team is unlikely to throw away.

Seb’s next option also hinges on another driver possibly joining Ferrari. It’s no secret that Daniel Ricciardo is high up on Ferrari’s list for 2021.  Given Renault’s less than impressive progress over the years, an exit could be on the cards. Vettel would be the ideal replacement to fill in Ricciardo’s shoes if he chooses to leave. While his driving isn’t currently at a supreme level, he brings in a wealth of experience. Something that could greatly benefit the French team in its attempt to recapture wins and titles.

Now, this a bold prediction and has the least possibility of all options. In the very unlikely event that Hamilton leaves Mercedes for Ferrari, Toto Wolff might just call on Vettel’s services. Yes, it seems ridiculous but nobody expected Vettel’s release. Permanence is the one thing that F1 doesn’t have, which is what makes the sport so unpredictable.

If the Scuderia lures Hamilton away, Toto can bank on the experienced Vettel to steady the ship, at least for the short term.

The 4 times World Champion’s final option is to walk away from F1. With 53 victories and multiple Championships, Vettel has nothing left to prove in Formula 1. Given his age and family commitments, Seb can leave the stress and pressure behind for good. It’s a shame and as fans, we’ll miss him a lot, but Vettel’s priorities may have changed since he walked in through Maranello’s doors for the first time.