4-time F1 champ Vettel to leave Ferrari after 2020 season

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari following the 2020 season after contract discussions broke down, according to Formula1.com.

"The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season," Vettel announced Tuesday. "Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That's not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be."

Vettel became the youngest world champion in F1 history back in 2010 when he led Red Bull-Renault to a constructor's championship as a 23-year-old. The German won three more consecutive championships from 2011-13 before joining Ferrari in 2015.

After winning 39 total races with Red Bull, the 32-year-old ultimately disappointed Ferrari's hopes of breaking its championship slump, winning a total of 14 races from 2015-19. Ferrari has not won a championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. Before that, it was Michael Schumacher, Vettel's self-confessed childhood hero, back in 2004.

Vettel has limited options, Andrew Benson of BBC reports. The likelihood that the veteran racer is willing to rejoin Red Bull is slim even if his old team showed interest, considering he'd have to race behind Max Verstappen. McLaren could be an option, though Vettel would be moving to a team with midfield aspirations that's relying on 20-year-old Lando Norris.

While Charles Leclerc is under contract through 2024, speculation over who will take Ferrari's second seat is expected to ramp up.

Benson noted that Carlos Sainz Jr., who's currently with McLaren, is among those who have been linked with the seat. In addition, while Lewis Hamilton's contract with Mercedes is set to expire, the Brit has been adamant about his desire to stay with his team and is not currently seen as a serious contender to fill Vettel's seat.

If Sainz does leave McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo could be in line to join the team, Benson added. The Aussie was heavily involved in contract discussions with McLaren prior to leaving Red Bull for Renault prior to last season.

Other options for Ferrari include Ricciardo as well as Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovanazzi, who finally made the official jump to F1 last year.