Uncertain future: What options are left for Vettel?

MERCEDES: The long-time Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug only suggested the Heppenheimer's commitment to the top teams on Wednesday. From a German perspective, a switch to the Silver Arrows would be the ideal solution; a German driver for a large German manufacturer could breathe new life into the ailing motorsport nation. Alone: It's unlikely. Lewis Hamilton and Vettel in a team together is unlikely to happen, as interesting as it would be. Only Hamilton's resignation could reshuffle the cards again.

PROBABILITY: 10 PERCENT

Will Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton soon form a team? © APA/afp / WILLIAM WEST

RED BULL: Vettel celebrated his greatest successes with the Brause team. He became world champion four times and the little boy became a big star at Red Bull. But there probably won't be a return. Max Verstappen is the future and hope of the team and should become world champion in the short rather than medium term. Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko ruled out a “V&V” combo for financial reasons alone. And sporting explosives would be guaranteed - too much explosive for a team.

PROBABILITY: 10 PERCENT

RENAULT: The French factory team is chasing its own expectations, and on Thursday it was also announced the departure of hopeful Daniel Ricciardo, who is replacing Carlos Sainz at McLaren. Financially it would probably be the most lucrative option for Vettel, Ricciardo already got rich at Renault. A four-time champion with plenty of experience could also be the missing piece in the puzzle for Renault on the way to the top. However, there is also Nico Hülkenberg, who was with the French last year and currently doesn't have a cockpit.

PROBABILITY: 30 PERCENT

Sebastian Vettel's future is up in the air. © AFP / LLUIS GENE

OTHER RACING SERIES: Vettel was never a jack of all trades like Fernando Alonso, and there aren't many options anyway. The DTM, which was a prestigious career conclusion for many Formula 1 drivers, faces an unclear future after Audi's announced exit. Formula E is unlikely to attract much interest from Vettel, an avowed motorsport purist. As a family man, my priorities have long since been away from the race track.

PROBABILITY: 5 PERCENT

CAREER END: Currently the most likely option, regardless of 2020. If he actually becomes world champion with Ferrari this season (whenever it starts), he would have nothing left to prove anyway and could retire as a complete man. But even if that doesn't work, he can look forward to a brilliant career. After all, other great drivers have failed at Ferrari (Alonso, Prost).

PROBABILITY: 45 PERCENT

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Uncertain future: What options are left for Vettel?

For Sebastian Vettel, the options in Formula 1 are becoming fewer and fewer, and the McLaren door also closed on Thursday. We have listed what options the four-time world champion still has for 2021.

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