A wild rumour is now a certainty: Sebastian Vettel is leaving Red Bull to replace Fernando Alonso at Ferrari in 2015.
With a Super Typhoon already bearing down, the reigning world champion team sent gasps through the media centre on Saturday morning with its press release.
“We’re pleased to announce that Daniel (Ricciardo) will be joined in the team for 2015 by another rising star from the junior programme, Daniil Kvyat,” Red Bull said.
Vettel is obviously heading to Ferrari to replace the disgruntled Spaniard Alonso, whose impending move to McLaren-Honda is also now obvious.
“I’m not running away and it’s nothing against Red Bull,” German Vettel said on Saturday. “There are just times in life when you need to start something new.”
He didn’t want to jump the gun on Ferrari’s official announcement, which is expected later on Saturday. “There will be an announcement soon,” was all Vettel would say.
But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was hiding nothing.
“Obviously Ferrari have made him a very attractive offer,” he said. “As of January first he’ll be a competitor. He’ll be a Ferrari driver,” said Horner.
GMM