Sebastian Vettel will replace Fernando Alonso at Ferrari next season.
This comes shortly after Alonso confirmed his departure from the Scuderia at the end of the 2014 Formula One campaign at Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Ferrari has welcomed Vettel, who will partner with Kimi Raikkonen in 2015, with open arms and predicted he will become an “invaluable” asset.
“Scuderia Ferrari has decided to put its faith in the youngest multiple champion in the history of Formula One,” said Ferrari’s team principal, Marco Mattiacci.
“In Formula One terms, Sebastian Vettel is a unique combination of youthfulness and experience and he brings with him that sense of team spirit which will prove invaluable when, together with Kimi, they tackle the challenges awaiting us, as we aim to be front runners again as soon as possible,”
“With Sebastian, we all share a thirst for victory as well as enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and tenacity; key elements for all the Scuderia members to write together a new winning chapter in the history of Ferrari.”
Meanwhile Vettel says his move to Ferrari has always been a long-held ambition, inspired by the exploits of Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven world titles with the team.
“The next stage of my Formula One career will be spent with Scuderia Ferrari and for me that means the dream of a lifetime has come true,” he explained.
“When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and now it’s an incredible honour to finally get the chance to drive a Ferrari. I already got a small taste of what the Ferrari spirit means, when I took my first win at Monza in 2008, with an engine from the Prancing Horse built in Maranello,”
“The Scuderia has a great tradition in this sport and I am extremely motivated to help the team get back to the top. I will put my heart and soul into making it happen.”
Fans reacted excitedly to the news on social media, with his fans offering their support and well-wishes.
https://twitter.com/jason_czh/status/535589992601354240
https://twitter.com/JAYJAMALINA/status/535595735496933376
Sebastian Vettel to Ferrari. That man is about to make some real $
— Cooper Robinson (@CooperRobinson3) November 21, 2014
Sebastian Vettel will be Ferrari's new F1 Driver in 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!! #TeamFerrari
— siRyan (@Ryeyan) November 21, 2014
Welcome to Ferrari, Sebastian VETTEL!
— El Faldo L. Tobing (@elfaldo) November 21, 2014
Willkommen Sebastian Vettel👏 #ScuderiaFerrari
— Luis Lugo (@luislugorey) November 21, 2014
OMG. Sebastian Vettel will partner Kimi Raikkonen at @ScuderiaFerrari next season after signing a three-year deal http://t.co/PRXatzZ5ku#F1
— Chirutha Kalra (@ChiruthaKalra) November 21, 2014
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