Vettel is ready for a break: ''He's always been a yokel''

Departure of Vettel

"I think Vettel likes that break. Married last year and three kids at home. That time for the family is important to him. Seb has always been a bit of a yokel. It also graces him, that distance from social media, for example. He will appreciate that peace of mind'', says Van der Garde to Motorsport.com.

However, it will not have been Vettel's decision to leave entirely. ''Of course the offer wouldn't have helped either and he doesn't feel like fighting with Charles Leclerc anymore. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you have pulled out all the stops in one season'', says the Dutch racing driver.

Who is the successor?

''Vettel keeps his options open, otherwise we would have seen an announcement. He is still young and can bring a lot of experience to another team. Once in the flow he can perform very well, as he did years before Red Bull Racing''. Now the question is, who will be his successor?

''I had to think of Daniel Ricciardo myself first. That's a good option for me, but so is Carlos Sainz. Sainz has proven to be super constant and Ricciardo is of course a super good driver with a great PR value. In that respect Sainz is better as a real second driver, but Ricciardo will not be out of place either'', concludes Van der Garde.