Speculation ends with quick actions by Ferrari and McLaren. Renault is now in the spotlight.
Only one day after four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel announced that he would leave Ferrari after this season, Ferrari settled speculation by signing Carlos Sainz of McLaren to Vettel’s seat. Sainz will join Monegasque Charles Leclerc in 2021.
Mattia Binotto (photo, YouTube)
Mattia Binotto, Ferrari’s team manager, explained the Spaniard’s selection this way: “With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family.”
Sainz has 102 career starts and a third-place finish at last season’s Brazilian Grand Prix. He also finished sixth overall in the 2019 Drivers Championship.
The vacated seat at McLaren didn’t stay vacant for very long, either. McClaren announced that Daniel Ricciardo would leave Renault and join Lando Norris next season. It was a good move, many believe, because they see the Aussie having more of a chance to move up the grid with the Woking team instead of by staying at Renault.
Andreas Seidel (photo, F1 Mundial)
Even though Ricciardo is a proven driver with seven Grand Prix victories, 29 podiums, and 171 race starts, he’ll face the tough task of challenging the top three teams of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. But McLaren team principal Andreas Seidel feels that Ricciardo will fit in well: “Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren. Our mission is to return to the front of the field. With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow.”
Now Renault is the center of speculation as media and fans wonder who will join Esteban Ocon in 2021. And the list of possibles is large because Ocon is one of a few drivers who doesn’t have to renew his contract at the end of this season.
Vettel’s name is on that list, along with a possible return of Fernando Alonso. However, the fly in the ointment is that both drivers would have to take a pay cut to join the French team.
If neither driver ends up with Renault in 2021, speculation is that it’s anybody’s guess who will. If Renault ends up taking a driver from their young driver’s academy, that means the team will end up with two young drivers instead of an experienced-younger tandem.
