- Ferrari
Vettel signs three-year deal with Ferrari
Ferrari has confirmed Sebastian Vettel will join its team on a three-year deal to drive alongside Kimi Raikkonen next year.
Vettel's move to Ferrari has been public knowledge since Red Bull announced he would be leaving in early October, but the deal was only officially announced on the Thursday ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The four-time champion joins the team after a lacklustre year for Ferrari and replaces Fernando Alonso, but he is optimistic he can build Ferrari into a winning team again.
"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 said. "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."
Team principal Marco Mattiacci is hoping Vettel will be able to reinvigorate his team after such a disappointing season.
"Scuderia Ferrari has decided to put its faith in the youngest multiple champion in the history of Formula One" - commented Scuderia Ferrari 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 a new chapter in the history of Ferrari."
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