The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic changed Ferrari’s stance in regards to keeping Sebastian Vettel, says team principal Mattia Binotto.
Announced in May, Ferrari and Vettel are to part-ways after the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season after being unable to agree on the terms of a new contract.
And while Vettel said in yesterday’s drivers’ press conference that he never received a formal offer, Binotto maintains he didn’t deceive his driver.
“I certainly always said privately to him in winter and made it public that he was our first choice, I can confirm that,” Binotto told reporters on Friday in Austria.
“A lot of drivers asked us during the winter if there was a possibility with us and that didn’t change our position, we wanted to continue with Seb.”
However as Binotto explains, the changing circumstances forced on the Scuderia by the coronavirus meant a decision was taken without giving the German a chance to prove himself.
“But since then we’ve had the pandemic that’s changed our whole world, not just motorsport and F1. The budget cap was decided and the rule changes were postponed for a year. The whole situation changed as a result.
“In addition, the season could not start, so Sebastian had no opportunity to show us how great his will is to continue with us. Of course that was unfortunate for him.”
“During the shutdown, we as Ferrari had to rethink our position and we made this decision for which we are responsible. We communicated it and I heard that he was surprised.
“In my opinion what he had was a normal reaction. He accepted it, but is still not really happy with it, which I can understand.”
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