Ferrari hopes to quickly conclude contract negotiations with Sebastian Vettel to keep the quadruple Formula 1 world champion beyond the end of this year.
Ferrari has yet to sign a new deal with Vettel, but said at the launch of its F1 2020 car that it was its first choice to line up alongside Charles Leclerc, whose contract would continue until at the end of 2024.
Speaking during the preseason tests in Barcelona, Ferrari team director Mattia Binotto said he wanted the issue to be resolved soon.
“I have already mentioned: Seb is our first option,” he reiterated.
“As I have always mentioned, it is an excellent team, probably the best we have in F1, of which I am very happy and very proud to have Ferrari.
“We are really starting an early discussion with Seb. We are all aware that the contract is ending, but he will come very soon to finish the discussion and see what is in the best interest of both of us.”
“What is more important is the project that we share, even our longer term vision, so we will arrive very soon, I am sure of an agreement.”
Vettel said he was relaxed about the contractual situation and insisted that his future did not weigh on him at all.
When asked what he was thinking, Vettel replied: “Right now, we are very busy with other things and so right now I would say zero.
“Time will tell, but I don’t think it changes anything yet.
“We know what we want to achieve, where we want to go and where we are now. The answer is always zero.”
Why Vettel is far from annoying Ferrari
Vettel also said he was still as involved in the race as he always was, despite a tough 2019 campaign.
“I have been there for a while but I still love what I do,” he said. “I love to drive.
“I was really excited when I got into the car last week.”
Ferrari hopes to quickly conclude contract negotiations with Sebastian Vettel to keep the quadruple Formula 1 world champion beyond the end of this year.
Ferrari has yet to sign a new deal with Vettel, but said at the launch of its F1 2020 car that it was its first choice to line up alongside Charles Leclerc, whose contract would continue until at the end of 2024.
Speaking during the preseason tests in Barcelona, Ferrari team director Mattia Binotto said he wanted the issue to be resolved soon.
“I have already mentioned: Seb is our first option,” he reiterated.
“As I have always mentioned, it is an excellent team, probably the best we have in F1, of which I am very happy and very proud to have Ferrari.
“We are really starting an early discussion with Seb. We are all aware that the contract is ending, but he will come very soon to finish the discussion and see what is in the best interest of both of us.”
“What is more important is the project that we share, even our longer term vision, so we will arrive very soon, I am sure of an agreement.”
Vettel said he was relaxed about the contractual situation and insisted that his future did not weigh on him at all.
When asked what he was thinking, Vettel replied: “Right now, we are very busy with other things and so right now I would say zero.
“Time will tell, but I don’t think it changes anything yet.
“We know what we want to achieve, where we want to go and where we are now. The answer is always zero.”
Why Vettel is far from annoying Ferrari
Vettel also said he was still as involved in the race as he always was, despite a tough 2019 campaign.
“I have been there for a while but I still love what I do,” he said. “I love to drive.
“I was really excited when I got into the car last week.”