|
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Red Bull to join Ferrari, replacing Fernando Alonso, who is set for McLaren.
Red Bull announced on Saturday that 27-year-old Vettel had "advised them" he would be leaving.
Play media
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel: Feels like right time to leave Red Bull
Team principal Christian Horner said Ferrari had made Vettel "a very attractive offer."
Alonso, 33, still had two more years to run on his contract but he and Ferrari have agreed to separate.
Horner also revealed that Vettel only told him of his decision to leave on Friday night - in the middle of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend - hours before the official announcement was made.
"All I can do is wish him the very best for the future," he said.
Vettel will be replaced at Red Bull by Russian Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat.
Neither Vettel's move to Ferrari nor Alonso's switch to McLaren have yet been officially announced, but both are expected to be in the coming days.
Aside from McLaren, Alonso's only other options are to retire or to take a sabbatical year, neither of which are considered likely.
Vettel, who has been out-shone by new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo this year, has been backed by Red Bull since he was 12 years old, but said he wanted to "do something else, something new".
|