Ecclestone to Vettel: 'Retire or move to McLaren'

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Bernie Ecclestone believes his good friend Sebastian Vettel would have nothing to gain by remaining with Ferrari next year, insisting the German should either retire or move to McLaren.

Vettel's contract with the Scuderia runs out at the end of 2020, and there have been reports that team boss Mattia Binotto has offered his driver to extend his stay at Maranello by a single year while also taking a significant pay cut.

Ferrari has allgedly made Vettel an offer he could refuse

Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc's future with the Italian outfit is set in stone until the end of 2024, a term that reflects Binotto's confidence in the Monegasque.

And that's a problem for Ecclestone in terms of Vettel's own potential future with the team.

"I think that Sebastian’s performance has recently suffered under the Ferrari constellation with new team-mate Charles Leclerc, who is also managed by the FIA President’s son," Ecclestone told F1-Insider.com, alluding to Nicolas Todt.

"I suspect he doesn’t see Binotto as the supporter he needs in his situation.

"Sebastian should therefore stop or look for alternatives for 2021. McLaren, once again with Mercedes engines, could be one."
McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl is rumored to be interested in Vettel, but only if Carlos Sainz parts ways with the Woking-based outfit.

However, the Spaniard claims he has already started contract talks with his current team, dismissing a potential courtship from suitor Ferrari.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.