Wolff: "I saw some cracks in that relationship"

The drivers' market was shaken last week after Sebastian Vettel announced that he would not be competing for Ferrari from 2021. This resulted in a domino effect. One day later it was announced that Carlos Sainz will take over the place of the four-time champion.

Toto Wolff, team boss of Mercedes, is not surprised at the choice of Vettel to leave Ferrari. "At least I could see some cracks in the relationship between Ferrari and Vettel. It is a pity that his dream at Ferrari did not come true, but it is what it is", says Wolff to ESPN.

What Wolff does find special is the speed of all the announcements. The 2020 season has yet to start, but the first driver changes for 2021 are already known.

"Sainz, Ricciardo and Vettel will now get all the new innovations from their current teams and also have an important role in the development of the cars. The decisions will therefore come quicker than I had made them", says Wolff.

Contrary to the competitors of Mercedes, Wolff has also said that at least until the summer he will not make any statements about the drivers duo of 2021. Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have an expiring contract at the end of 2020.

It seems likely that Hamilton will still be driving for Mercedes after 2020. Bottas' spot seems a little less certain. Vettel and George Russell are both linked to the second seat at Mercedes, while the camp of Bottas itself inquires about a spot at Renault.