“We Cannot Ignore This” – Toto Wolff Reacts to Sebastian Vettel Leaving Ferrari

While the F1 world still digests Ferrari’s shock split with Sebastian Vettel, Toto Wolff had some interesting things to say. The Austrian acknowledged Vettel’s exit from the Scuderia but maintained that he was “loyal” to his current drivers. However, it was Wolff’s last remark that is sure to raise eyebrows.

Could Sebastian Vettel move to Mercedes?

Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, you probably know by now that Ferrari and Vettel are parting ways next season. Truth be told, nobody expected the announcement. Many believed Ferrari and Seb would reach some form of an arrangement but it never came to pass. As things stand, Vettel doesn’t have a seat for 2021.

However, Vettel is not alone in this regard. Like the 4 times World Champion, the majority of the grid is out of a contract. And Vettel’s bombshell announcement only kickstarts F1’s silly season even before the actual season begins. Vettel is a key player in the 2021 F1 driver market and his next move could decide how teams choose their driver lineups in 2021.

A shock move to Mercedes seems laughable at best. Mercedes are very happy with Lewis Hamilton and vice versa. The 6 times World Champion is pushing for a record-equalling seventh World Championship and a Mercedes car can get him there. However, it would be foolish to ignore the possibility of Hamilton leaving the Brackley outfit.

Many thought Ferrari and Vettel would carry on for the foreseeable future but it never happened. As a result, there are no guarantees that Mercedes and Hamilton will reach an agreement for next season. It’s a bold prediction but Hamilton could walk away if he chooses, even to Ferrari. Right now, the driver market is in a complex and volatile situation.

What Toto says

Toto Wolff reacted to Vettel’s Ferrari exit but revealed that the team was prioritizing its own drivers first.

“Sebastian is a great driver, a great personality and an enrichment for every Formula 1 team,” said Wolff,as quoted by dpa.

“With a view to the future, we are primarily committed to loyalty to our current Mercedes drivers, but of course we cannot ignore this development.”

The coming weeks could clear up what next year’s grid looks like.