As you all may or may not know, it has been confirmed by Ferrari that Sebastian Vettel will not remain with the Scuderia after the 2020 season is completed
There are however a lot of rumours doing the rounds within the F1 community that there are a few names being thrown around as to whom might be eligible to replace Vettel for the 2021 season.....
A few names that do come to mind immediately are a mix of whom I feel could be contenders for the vacant Ferrari seat, as well as being based on online F1 circles.
So, without further ado, my driver predictions that could replace Vettel at Ferrari are as follows:
1] Daniel Ricciardo
Having raced alongside Vettel at Red Bull and having beaten Vettel in the same car, might be a good reason for Ferrari to look at him. But would Ferrari want Ricciardo based on his experience or risk placing him alongside Leclerc whom would then be the number one driver, seeing as Vettel would be leaving?
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see if Ricciardo does get the opportunity to join Ferrari, as he is still yet to prove himself with Renault, after a dismal first season with them last year. His current contract with Renault will expire at the end of this year. But would he want to be a #2 driver to Leclerc?
2] Carlos Sainz
According to Autosport Magazine, Carlos Sainz Jr. is in "no rush" to enter into talks with McLaren to discuss a renewal beyond 2020. So, with potentially having him on the driver's market for 2021, could Ferrari make him an attractive offer?
We all know he does have the pace and did a phenomenal job last year with McLaren. But I sense that the big boys at McLaren have this in the back of their minds now that Sainz could potentially be lured away.
He seems to be very happy at McLaren, and judging by his performance last year, it would take a much better car than the 2019 Ferrari to lure him there. And i think he would prefer to be the clear #1 driver at Ferrari in my mind.
3] Mick Schumacher
Having been on Ferrari's radar for quite some time, and now being a Ferrari Driving Academy member, could Ferrari gamble again, like they did with Charles Leclerc and turn to another younger driver, to partner Leclerc for the 2021 season?
But, after having a dismal season in F2 last year, finishing 12th overall, Ferrari would definitely be hard pressed to give Schumacher the drive.
I personally think that he still needs a lot more development as a driver before Ferrari could consider him, maybe move him to Alfa Romeo for one season, just like with Leclerc.
In all honesty, when the time is right for Mick Schumacher, he could one day be the second generation Schumacher to race a Ferrari. He will continue his F2 campaign this year, once the season eventually get's underway.
4] Fernando Alonso
The question is, would Alonso want to return to Ferrari, knowing that he may not become champion again? Alonso in my opinion would only return to Ferrari if he is made a very lucrative offer, and if their 2021 car can compete against the Mercedes. He would also want to be the clear #1 driver to Leclerc.
Besides, when he was at Ferrari, the car was not a championship contender for him, but he is still a very competitive driver and could be an option for Ferrari, should they feel his experience could be of benefit.
5] Daniil Kvyat
Kvyat was a development driver at the Scuderia during 2018, after his first stint at Toro Rosso, whom at that time was moving to Honda as engine supplier, after having used Ferrari power for a long time. Kvyat is managed by Jean Todt, which incidentally also manages Leclerc.
Dannii could be an option as a #2 driver to Leclerc, but it could be a sting in the tale of Vettel to know that "Torpedo Danny" might be his replacement.... Ooooh!
6] Nico Hulkenburg
Could this be an opportunity for the Hulk to return to F1 to potentially join Ferrari? It could be, as he does have a decent racing career, but it doesn't help having not one podium to your F1 statistics to be made an offer to join Ferrari.
He could be a solid #2 driver to Leclerc and help with the development of their car, which he is clearly good at. Just look at how he brought Renault back to be a serious mid-field contender when he was driving the yellow car.
Also, could Ferrari consider having another German driver in their team?
7] Antonio Giovinazzi
There are however a lot of rumours doing the rounds within the F1 community that there are a few names being thrown around as to whom might be eligible to replace Vettel for the 2021 season.....
A few names that do come to mind immediately are a mix of whom I feel could be contenders for the vacant Ferrari seat, as well as being based on online F1 circles.
So, without further ado, my driver predictions that could replace Vettel at Ferrari are as follows:
1] Daniel Ricciardo
 |
| Daniel Ricciardo |
Having raced alongside Vettel at Red Bull and having beaten Vettel in the same car, might be a good reason for Ferrari to look at him. But would Ferrari want Ricciardo based on his experience or risk placing him alongside Leclerc whom would then be the number one driver, seeing as Vettel would be leaving?
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see if Ricciardo does get the opportunity to join Ferrari, as he is still yet to prove himself with Renault, after a dismal first season with them last year. His current contract with Renault will expire at the end of this year. But would he want to be a #2 driver to Leclerc?
2] Carlos Sainz
 |
| Carlos Sainz Jr. |
According to Autosport Magazine, Carlos Sainz Jr. is in "no rush" to enter into talks with McLaren to discuss a renewal beyond 2020. So, with potentially having him on the driver's market for 2021, could Ferrari make him an attractive offer?
We all know he does have the pace and did a phenomenal job last year with McLaren. But I sense that the big boys at McLaren have this in the back of their minds now that Sainz could potentially be lured away.
He seems to be very happy at McLaren, and judging by his performance last year, it would take a much better car than the 2019 Ferrari to lure him there. And i think he would prefer to be the clear #1 driver at Ferrari in my mind.
3] Mick Schumacher
 |
| Mick Schumacher |
Having been on Ferrari's radar for quite some time, and now being a Ferrari Driving Academy member, could Ferrari gamble again, like they did with Charles Leclerc and turn to another younger driver, to partner Leclerc for the 2021 season?
But, after having a dismal season in F2 last year, finishing 12th overall, Ferrari would definitely be hard pressed to give Schumacher the drive.
I personally think that he still needs a lot more development as a driver before Ferrari could consider him, maybe move him to Alfa Romeo for one season, just like with Leclerc.
In all honesty, when the time is right for Mick Schumacher, he could one day be the second generation Schumacher to race a Ferrari. He will continue his F2 campaign this year, once the season eventually get's underway.
4] Fernando Alonso
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| Fernando Alonso |
The question is, would Alonso want to return to Ferrari, knowing that he may not become champion again? Alonso in my opinion would only return to Ferrari if he is made a very lucrative offer, and if their 2021 car can compete against the Mercedes. He would also want to be the clear #1 driver to Leclerc.
Besides, when he was at Ferrari, the car was not a championship contender for him, but he is still a very competitive driver and could be an option for Ferrari, should they feel his experience could be of benefit.
5] Daniil Kvyat
 |
| Daniil Kvyat |
Kvyat was a development driver at the Scuderia during 2018, after his first stint at Toro Rosso, whom at that time was moving to Honda as engine supplier, after having used Ferrari power for a long time. Kvyat is managed by Jean Todt, which incidentally also manages Leclerc.
Dannii could be an option as a #2 driver to Leclerc, but it could be a sting in the tale of Vettel to know that "Torpedo Danny" might be his replacement.... Ooooh!
6] Nico Hulkenburg
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| Nico Hulkenberg |
Could this be an opportunity for the Hulk to return to F1 to potentially join Ferrari? It could be, as he does have a decent racing career, but it doesn't help having not one podium to your F1 statistics to be made an offer to join Ferrari.
He could be a solid #2 driver to Leclerc and help with the development of their car, which he is clearly good at. Just look at how he brought Renault back to be a serious mid-field contender when he was driving the yellow car.
Also, could Ferrari consider having another German driver in their team?
7] Antonio Giovinazzi
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| Antonio Giovinazzi |
Having an Italian driver in a Ferrari could be tempting, but with Kimi Räikkönen's contract expiring at the end of 2020, would he fancy being the #1 driver at Alfa Romeo, or could an offer from the "Senior Ferrari Team" lure him to be a #2 to Leclerc?
He did well enough in his first full season partnering Kimi Räikkönen, and could be a stable driver to remain at Alfa Romeo should an option to retain Kimi Räikkönen not be viable. Only time will tell....
8] Valtteri Bottas
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| Valtteri Bottas |
Having been the clear #2 driver in Mercedes ever since replacing Rosberg, could Ferrari offer the drive to Bottas?
He clearly deserves a drive with a team that he can challenge for the championship, but would Ferrari have him as a #1 driver to Leclerc?
Bottas clearly has the goods to deliver wins, and perform consistently throughout a season, but would the Ferrari car be able to provide him with the tools he needs to challenge for the championship?
Who do you think could replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari in 2021?
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