The issue with that for me is it is a sheepish way to go out, part way through the season. I just think he has something to prove, if I was in that position I would not want to live with a lifetime of regrets. Maybe he needs to spend the winter going rallying as Valtteri did last winter. Sharpen his car handling up. Just read up on his early career, no rallying in there, did nearly have his finger sliced off...maybe that explains the finger he gives.
You seem to think it will be his decision ? I'm not so sure . He probably will stay , but ferrari can be nasty when they need to be .
All true but then you assume they have a replacement mid season. It will be a Rookie if they do and they want points, next year maybe their year. With a compliant Vettel, Le Clerc would have beaten Verstappen this year. I think Vettel will do the year.
My opinion on Vettel is that he will contest the whole of the 2020 season. I cannot see him leaving early. He needs to find something within himself to cling to a vestige of legacy by beating LeClerc, although personally - as I suggested at the beginning of 2019 - I don't think he can. But if he gives it his best shot for the whole season, he will retain some respect regardless of the outcome. More than anything, he loses most if he quits early; and failing some disaster or as yet unforeseen circumstance, I think he has enough self-respect not to do that…
I know he's British and his 'incident' was 4 years ago but why would Williams risk him? I suppose as a dev driver he's not going to be driving with the red mist on track but I can't really see the upside for Williams? Unless they are thinking that if he is successful in 2020 F2 he would be a good cheap driver in F1 2021? Not that I can see him bringing much sponsorship money in? All very weird......
Going to have to google what he did that was so bad. Not aware of that. edit: wow, he has got some form...........
Not sure I would like this man (boy). I am sure he has changed but what was the underlying character that drove that. Him and Verstappen, could be interesting. He says he knows he is fast, as is Vettel, that doesn't make a driver, as Vettel has proved.
I agree. Although look at what punishment Vettel received when he deliberately side swiped Hamilton on a lap behind safety car ( or maybe it was before restart line) when he thought Lewis had break tested him! Plus Max physically pushing Occon in front of the cameras!! Both received lenient punishments as far as I am concerned. Dan Ticktum was/is young and received a long punishment, I hope he has grown up and learned what is acceptable and safe.
Fair comment although driving through the pack to get to his target was a determined person. In my experience of life, someone as determined as that won't have grown up overnight just because of the punishment, it is how he sees things. The red mist is there, it is a trigger. Curbing it requires maturity which one punishment, however harsh, won't fix. If he makes it into F1, him and Verstappen, could be some fun there, provided no one gets hurt, that is the fear. Last season shows how an error can change lives and kill (that was a innocent accident). Dan's punishment wasn't harsh, Vettel's in Baku was light. Everyone thought Vettel's penalty was harsh in Canada. What if someone got hurt, what would we have thought then? We easily forget why the rules are there and how the past made them.
oh yeah, Senna, Prost and Schumacher, eat your hearts out, Dan the Ban takes top podium spot in the take out your opponent stakes. Sadly there's no video
I would say at least equal footing, putting him in as no. 1 would probably contravene the terms of Vettel's contract
I hope he managed to get a decent salary as 5 years is a long contract. I imagine they both have break clauses in. Definitely can't see Seb in F1 come 2021.
5 years is a heck of a lot of time. Bound to be some performance clauses on both sides. It is a massive statement about the role they see Le Clerc having. It must be Ferrari's own fear of him being poached, I don't see that he would have proposed it. What it does say, I think, is that Ferrari is still fond of a number 1 status, a new one albeit. Anyone with a 5 year contract is going to be a favourite.
I would imagine he has a very decent salary . As has been said I would imagine both sides have break clauses .