F1 Scuderia Shuffle: Sebastian Vettel rumored to drive for Ferrari

[Bartek S.]

What a tangled web we weave. Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel is one of the only drivers in Formula One who doesn't have a manager, and the rookie has no plans to change that despite an increasingly complicated entanglement of contracts between several teams now being reported in the motorsport media.

Vettel was a test driver for BMW Sauber the past two seasons before moving in to replace Scott Speed at the Red Bull b-squad last year, coming in an impressive fourth place at the Chinese Grand Prix. Reports suggest that Vettel is still contracted to both BMW and Red Bull, but that's not the end of it. Rumors are now circulating that he could be called up to Ferrari –Toro Rosso's engines supplier – next season. Although most reports are indicating Vettel could replace Felipe Massa, the more likely scenario could see Vettel move to Maranello as a third driver, sharing testing duties with Ferrari's two race drivers and acting as a back-up. Such an arrangement would be similar to the one that brought

 

[Deleted member 25]

BS, even McLaren failed to hire him, Berger said it, he won't sell him for all the money of the paddock, same goes with Rosberg & Williams, The only teams that can ship him are RB & BMW.

 

[Sunny]

I don't think it is for Berger to decide, but the RedBull boss and between the engine and Vettel, I think they will go with the engine especially now since Torro Rosso is for sale.

 

[Centurion]

Vettel is held down by some tight leeches and if Ferrari ever wanted him they would have to sell out a big sum of money to get him out of his contract.

 

[450SEL6.9]

[ Although most reports are indicating Vettel could replace Felipe Massa, the more likely scenario could see Vettel move to Maranello as a third driver, sharing testing duties with Ferrari's two race drivers and acting as a back-up.

Why is this the most likely scenario? Why would Vettel sit out a year to be a test driver and be a backup? I can imagine Alonso doing that this year to get in a Ferrari for '09, but Vettel? He would probably do better than Massa in that car.

Sunny raises a great point about Ferrari engines in STRs and Red Bulls. I don't think Vettel's contract is bullet-proof either. Unfortunately, I think Ferrari will only do a drastic driver change if they have a disastrous '08 season, which could easily happen.