On Tuesday it became clear out of nowhere that
Sebastian Vettel was already leaving
Ferrari at the end of 2020. This news in itself was shocking, but the shock wave to other potential announcements loosened even more tongues.
Who fills the spot at Ferrari?
Carlos Sainz seems to have the right papers for that now, but it's not certain yet.
Daniel Ricciardo is also a contender, but would also be in talks with
McLaren to succeed Sainz. Also Vettel is still in the run for the spot at McLaren, although Ricciardo would be preferred by the team from Woking.
So many substitutions
Where that's already a nice line, we're still not there. According to the latest rumours,
Fernando Alonso is also close to a transfer to Renault, to fill the vacant spot of Ricciardo, and according to Marca, Vettel also has a chance to get a spot at Mercedes or even
Aston Martin.
It doesn't seem to go any crazier. The 2020
Formula 1 season isn't even underway yet, but the 2021 line-up is already starting to take shape. It's logical that it will happen with extended contracts, but we seldom knew of a changeover this early.
Marc Priestley will update you on all possible substitutions.