Ferrari confirms Vettel for 2015posted in F120 | 11 | 2014
FERRARI HAS, FINALLY, confirmed the worst kept secret in Formula One: Sebastian Vettel will drive for the Maranello team in 2015. The four-times world champ has signed a three-year deal.
Vettel replaces double world champ Fernando Alonso, who is on his way to McLaren: another 'secret' move which has yet to be confirmed publicly.
For Vettel though, today's announcement at Ferrari confirms a boyhood dream, despite many people questioning the sense of the decision to join a team which appears devoid of ideas and hasn't won the drivers' world championship since 2004.
"The next stage of my Formula 1 career will be spent with Scuderia Ferrari and for me that means the dream of a lifetime has come true," Vettel, who will partner Kimi Raikkonen, said.
"When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and now it's an incredible honour to finally get the chance to drive a Ferrari.
"I already got a small taste of what the Ferrari spirit means, when I took my first win at Monza in 2008 (with Toro Rosso), with an engine from the Prancing Horse built in Maranello.
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"The Scuderia has a great tradition in this sport and I am extremely motivated to help the team get back to the top. I will put my heart and soul into making it happen."
The move was also welcomed by Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci.
"Scuderia Ferrari has decided to put its faith in the youngest multiple champion in the history of Formula 1," Mattiacci said.
"In Formula 1 terms, Sebastian Vettel is a unique combination of youthfulness and experience, and he brings with him that sense of team spirit which will prove invaluable when, together with Kimi, they tackle the challenges awaiting us, as we aim to be frontrunners again as soon as possible.
"With Sebastian, we all share a thirst for victory as well as enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and tenacity; key elements for all the Scuderia members to write together a new winning chapter in the history of Ferrari."
Vettel's place at Red Bull will be filled by current Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat, who will partner Aussie Daniel Ricciardo.
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Jim McGill