Sebastian Vettel to Leave Red Bull for Ferrari in 2015
Red Bull confirmed at Suzuka that Sebastian Vettel will depart after the 2014 season, with Daniil Kvyat taking his seat and Vettel expected to join Ferrari.
Red Bull Racing stunned the Formula One paddock at the Japanese Grand Prix by announcing Sebastian Vettel will leave the team at the end of the 2014 season. The news came on Saturday morning at Suzuka, with the reigning world champion squad confirming Daniil Kvyat will step up from Toro Rosso to partner Daniel Ricciardo in 2015.
Vettel’s departure ends a six-year spell that brought him four consecutive world championships between 2010 and 2013. The German driver, who has been with Red Bull since 2009, had faced speculation about his future throughout the season, but the official announcement confirmed he will not see out his existing contract. According to Red Bull, Vettel triggered a performance-related exit clause, allowing him to leave a year before his deal was due to expire.
Although Ferrari had not formally confirmed Vettel’s arrival at the time of Red Bull's statement, the move is widely expected to see him replace Fernando Alonso. Alonso is set to leave Ferrari, with strong indications pointing towards a switch to McLaren-Honda for 2015. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Ferrari had made Vettel “a very attractive offer”, and that as of 1 January, Vettel would be a Ferrari driver.
Red Bull reshuffles with Kvyat promotion
The vacancy left by Vettel will be filled by Daniil Kvyat, who made his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso in 2014. Kvyat, then just 20 years old, was promoted directly to Red Bull’s senior team, leapfrogging more experienced drivers and continuing the outfit’s tradition of advancing talent from its junior programme. Daniel Ricciardo, who joined Red Bull at the start of 2014, will remain as Kvyat’s teammate.
Kvyat’s promotion also opens up a seat at Toro Rosso. The team is expected to bring in Carlos Sainz Jr, the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 champion, although this had not been officially confirmed during the Suzuka weekend.
A dramatic weekend at Suzuka
The timing of the announcement, just as a super typhoon threatened the Japanese Grand Prix, added to the sense of upheaval at Suzuka. Vettel informed Red Bull of his decision late on Friday, surprising the team’s management, who had only just finalised winter testing and merchandising plans for 2015 with him.
Red Bull’s statement and the expected reshuffle at Ferrari and McLaren mark one of the most significant driver market shake-ups in recent Formula One history. Vettel leaves Red Bull as the only driver to have won a world championship for the team, while Kvyat becomes the latest graduate from the Red Bull junior ranks to reach the top tier.
For further reading on the implications of Vettel’s exit and the team’s future, seeVilleneuve: Vettel's Red Bull Exit Was Timed Correctly.
