Rumors
RUMOUR: McLaren "will definitely think about Vettel" if available for 2021
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
With the regulation changes of the 2021 season coming up, the vast majority of Formula 1 drivers have yet to commit past the current season in order to keep their options open. This has sparked a lot of rumours about drivers swapping seats, and the latest rumour is a very good one; McLaren are keeping their eye on Sebastian Vettel.
Unlike Charles Leclerc, who is contracted until 2024, Vettel has not committed at Ferrari long-term. The four-time champion is under contract until the end of this calendar year, although team principal Mattia Binotto has made it clear they are keen on resigning the German.
There will be plenty of other takers for Vettel besides Ferrari. His former team Aston Martin Red Bull Racing have already ruled themselves out of bringing Vettel back, but according to F1-Insider, McLaren are keeping a close eye.
"[Andreas] Seidl knows Vettel well from their time together at BMW," an unnamed insider tells them.
"If Sebastian is available, he will definitely think about him. It would also be a strong PR coup for McLaren-Mercedes."
Both Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris are out of a deal at the end of 2020 as well, with the former being the most likely to be let go. This is despite Sainz being the main points scorer in 2019 by some way, as Norris is an academy product with huge potential. Could he be teamed up with Vettel in 2021 in papaya orange? Or is this rumour to be ignored? Let us know...