Buxton: ''If Ferrari wanted Ricciardo, he'd have driven it already''
- GPblog.com
The rumour is going around that Sebastian Vettel is currently working overtime. According to La Gazetta dello Sport, the German would have refused a contract proposal from Ferrarri, so all options seem to be on the table for the four time world champion.
What's Vettel worth?
Vettel has been racing for Ferrari since 2015 where he hunted for his fifth world title and above all a world title with the Italian brrand. However, that dream did not come true and Charles Leclerc now seems to be their man for the future. However, Ferrari still wants to keep Vettel, but under certain conditions.
According to the Italian medium, Ferrari would have offered the German a new one-year contract for 12 million euros. Leclerc deserves the same and that would put the two on the same level. However, it would mean a significant pay cut for Vettel, whoh is currently making somewhere between 30 to 40 million euros.
Sainz and Ricciardo move on?
So it's not surprising that Vettel turned it down in the first place. The German would like to sign a two-year contract and perhaps even hand in less of his money. However, the question is how strong his negotiating position is? According to Will Buxton there are other drivers keen for his seat.
''I've really given this some thought and Carlos Sainz is the best driver to put next to Leclerc. Daniel Ricciardo's link is romantic of course, but if Ferrari had wanted him, he would have driven there already. I see Daniel driving for McLaren. They have wanted him for a long time and now seems to be the time to make the switch'', said the reporter of Formula 1.
If Vettel and Ferrari can’t get the deal done, I’ve thought for a while now that not only would Carlos make a sensational driver for the Scuderia, but the perfect foil for Leclerc. https://t.co/kQSEvhtnIh
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) April 21, 2020