Vettel To Join Ferrari in 2014?

[Egg Chaser]

According to the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19941541

BBC said:

Ferrari will retain Felipe Massa next season in what is planned to be a stop-gap deal before the arrival of Sebastian Vettel in 2014.

Sources inside Ferrari say they have signed a contract with Vettel, which is thought to be an option to join in 2014 depending on their results.

Very surprising if true.

[snave13]

wow, didn't expect that. thought he'd stay with red bull.

[Rollcage]

That's been an open secret for ages. I can remember the 2014 Ferrari drive being mentioned a good while ago.

[Scuffers]

Rollcage said:

That's been an open secret for ages. I can remember the 2014 Ferrari drive being mentioned a good while ago.

This.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Begs the question who would have the redbull seats?

[Jasandjules]

As above, I thought he was always going to Ferrari.

[harryowl]

Wonder how FA feels given Ferrari guranteed him no.1 status?

[garrykiller]

could see that happening a mile off. as above i thought this had been on the cards for a while. it will be interesting to see who gets the red bull seat though.

[miniman]

Interesting that this appears to be an option based on Ferrari's performance next season. Requires a strong performance early in the season from Massa which seems like quite a gamble.

[ajprice]

For 2014 Webber isnt a guarantee either, a few rumours of him going to the Aussie V8s with Casey Stoner. They could bring people up from Toro Rosso and the Red Bull empire, like they did with Vettel. In which case I'd say Ricciardo. I've not really noticed Vergne this year to know if he's any good or not

Alonso and Vettel in the same cars would be interesting, considering Ferraris recent history of a number one overlord driver to worship in one car, and somebody else in the other.

[groomi]

Neither Vergne or Ricciardo seem to have performed as well as Alguesari and Buemi, so can't see them moving to Red Bull.

Maybe RB have achieved what they wanted and are going to pull the plug?

[brierleys]

So Massa has to do well in order to secure his replacement?

[Megaflow]

Hamilton to exit Mercedes on performance based clause after just 12 months?

Ther, that should stir things up a bit...

[designndrive62]

Could be a good move IMO, with the massive rule changes coming in 2014 the biggest performance differentiator I think will be the engines, much better to be at a manufacturer team who actually produce both their own chassis and engine (Ferrari, Merc) than a team that buys one in.

[Hub]

I can understand the appeal of going to Ferrari, and probably the need for a fresh challenge for him... but it isn't great timing if Alonso will still be there!

[skeggysteve]

Scuffers said:

Rollcage said:

That's been an open secret for ages. I can remember the 2014 Ferrari drive being mentioned a good while ago.

This.

Been talked about by RLM on Midweek Motorsport for ages.

[groomi]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Other thean the lure of it being "The Red Car", why? Why would he?

Has there been a 'Newey to Ferrari' story yet?

[robmlufc]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

But I can't imagine the lure? The "Fun" factor certainly is not at Ferrari they have at RB.
The diversification of the brands, the Winning cars ?

Is it another classic case of Money talks? (see LH thread )

Vettel strikes me as quite a hard worker behind all that 'fun' image. Reckon he will fit in at Ferrari nicely. Certainly not money talks, a Ferrari is second in the championship!!

[TonyHetherington]

miniman said:

Interesting that this appears to be an option based on Ferrari's performance next season. Requires a strong performance early in the season from Massa which seems like quite a gamble.

I assume it will be based on the lead car, rather than Massa included

[TheHeretic]

Well, assuming he will have 3 WDC in the bag, why not go to a prestigious, and renowned team like Ferrari? It must be temptingly someone with such an eye on history to go and drive in the red cars.