Ferrari drops hints about ‘young’ replacement

Sebastian Vettel will be replaced by a “young” driver who has a “few years” of Formula 1 experience, says Piero Ferrari.

Vettel single handedly imploded the driver market on Tuesday morning when he announced he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of this season.

According to reports the four-time World Champion forced Ferrari into making the announcementby leaking the newsthe night before.

Vettel said in his statement“不再有common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season” and he would therefore be leaving.

His seat is expected to go to either Carlos Sainz or Daniel Ricciardo, both of whom were rumoured to be at the top of Ferrari’s short list.

Mick Schumacher has also been mentioned in the mix as many fans would love to see the German follow in his father’s footsteps.

But it looks as ifSainzis the most likely candidate to partner Charles Leclerc next season.

Speaking to Italian agency ANSA, Ferrari, the only living son of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari, refused to name names but did give the criteria for the next Scuderia driver.

He said: “It is correct to support Leclerc because he is a very talented, intelligent boy who grew up in our Ferrari Academy.

“Support another young man? I would definitely like to do it, but Ferrari is not the place for a young man coming from Formula 2.

“Perhaps a young man who already has a few years of experience would be much better.”

At 25 years of age Sainz fits that billing while Ricciardo, who is 30, is a few years too old.

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