Todt: Whoever will take Vettel will be very lucky

FIA president Jean Todt, the man who guided Ferrari through its golden period of success with Michael Schumacher, says any team should consider itself lucky to get its hands on Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season after a six-year collaboration that has yielded to date 14 wins but no world title.

There is still a chance of Vettel fulfilling his ultimate dream when the current truncated season finally gets underway, although rare are those who believe the German driver will leave Maranello on a high.

Mercedes: Vettel option 'on the table' for 2021

Vettel's future plans remain unknown for now but Todt believes many opportunities await the German driver.

"Sebastian Vettel is one of the greatest talents in motorsport," said Todt. "An announcement has been made that he will not drive for the team beyond 2020.

"There are a lot of other opportunities. We can only wish him the best and I mean that. Whoever will take him will be very lucky.

"Maybe he will be a good president of the FIA in the future. You never know," joked the Frenchman.

Asked to compare Vettel's relative lack of success at the Scuderia with Schumacher's outstanding achievements with the Italian outfit, Todt underscored the unity that prevailed at Ferrari during the seven-time world champion's era.

"The results, good or bad, you can explain," said the FIA president.

"Together with Michael, the whole team at Ferrari, we had so much success because we had a very united, strong team who were supportive of each other - mainly in the difficult times - rather than in the good times.

"It is easy to be together when all is good. You see a good sailor in a rough sea, so when we were in the rough sea we were all on the boat.

"I am talking about boats but we are talking about cars, of course."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.