Quit F1 or leave Ferrari, Ecclestone tells Vettel
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Scuderia Ferrari Sebastian Vettel stands at his box during the Formula One pre-season testing session at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, outside Barcelona in February. Photo: Joan Monfort/AP Scuderia Ferrari Sebastian Vettel stands at his box during the Formula One pre-season testing session at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, outside Barcelona in February. Photo: Joan Monfort/AP
MUNICH – Former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has
advised German driver Sebastian Vettel to either end his F1 career or
seek a new team.
Ecclestone told Sport1 television he believed Vettel's performances
had suffered as a result of the constellation at Ferrari.
Four-time F1 champion Vettel was outscored last season by new
team-mate Charles Leclerc, who is managed by the son of motorsport
federation FIA president Jean Todt.
Ecclestone, 89, said he suspected Vettel did not regard Ferrari team
chief Mattia Binotto as the support he needed in his current
position.
Vettel, 32, should retire or look for an alternative, saying McLaren,
who switch to a Mercedes engine from 2021, could be such an
alternative for him.
Ecclestone said F1 "needs a Sebastian that wins". He had a dip last
season but there was no reason that like world champion Lewis
Hamilton he could not reach Michael Schumacher's seven titles.
The first nine races of the F1 season have been called off as a
result of the coronavirus pandemic and Ecclestone repeated his belief
the entire season should be called off.