In an interview with Austrian channel ServusTV, Sebastian Vettel challenged Mattia Binotto’s claim about the COVID-19 pandemic triggering the “change in philosophy” that led to Vettel’s contract not getting renewed. Before the Austrian GP took place, Binotto said that although the German 4-times World Champion was Ferrari’s first choice, the COVID-19 crisis led the team to change its thoughts on the matter. 

As Binotto said in an interview ahead of the Austrian GP: "I think the virus and pandemic situation, which changed the entire world, not only our motorsport, our F1. The budget cap has been changed by quite a lot, and is a lot more strict, the regulations have been postponed from '21 to '22, which somehow was something important for us. So during the shutdown as Ferrari we had to eventually reconsider our position." 

But when asked about this entire situation, Vettel revealed that the news came in a phone call from the principal of Scuderia Ferrari. A rather surprising one, as mentioned by Vettel. In an interview on 6/7/2020, the German driver provided more insight.

As he said: "I think that the last five years haven't brought what I think was the goal from both sides. Still, I think that it would have been an option to continue and work on the goal in any case. And that had been communicated in the same way. I was told that we want to continue. Until I got a phone call out of nowhere, when I was told that there would be no offer, that there would be no future. That surprised me at first. The conditions with corona and so on – I don't want to harp on it now, but I don't think they'll be that decisive.”

He added: There were also some reports that we could not agree on the financial aspects. So that was not an issue at all and would not have been an issue. If you have been in Formula 1 for so long and you've been lucky enough to be so successful and on the other hand gain a certain independence, that would certainly not have been an obstacle, which is why it was surprising. But well, the decision as it is, I don't have a problem with it and I accept it as it is, but I'm still trying to do my job this year and do a better job than yesterday and do the best for the team to bring this to a good end.”

Currently, it is not clear what Sebastian Vettel will do next. Ever since the information he did not share too many details, although he insists he wants to continue racing, although only in the right environment. As he says, his future is still open. 

As he said: "Honestly, I haven't made a decision yet, and I don't know yet for myself either. What's important, of course, is to find an environment that fits. I have enjoyed the last five years very much in many respects, but the last five years have also taken a lot of energy. The goal at that time was to rebuild the team. And certainly both sides have tried everything. But at the end of the day we failed on both sides, because the title didn't come. That was the big goal. Now this is a new situation for me. It will be important for me to find something that is good for me and fun. I think that is a very important thing.

He added: "As I mentioned earlier, the financial aspect is not at all in the foreground. And of course I am still very ambitious, motorsport is my life. I don't know any other way, except the last three months it's been a little different. "But I wouldn't really want to miss it. With the right job and the right place I would still feel very much at home in a Formula 1 car. I think the next few weeks, months, will shed light – also for myself – on what is possible, and what I want to do.”

Vettel revealed as well that immediately after receiving the news from Binotto, he made contact with Helmut Marko of Red Bull. He explained that over the years they stayed in touch and got along very well, and he did not call to ask for a place, but for advice. 

As he said: "I called him right after the decision, but not to ask, 'Helmut, do you have a place?', but because I get along very well with him and he has been a confidant for years. I asked him for advice. I described the situation to him as it is. He's known for putting his heart on his sleeve. And then I spoke to him. What will come out in the end remains to be seen. The talks in this regard are of my own making.”

Concluding this entire situation and linking with his future plans, Sebastian Vettel admitted that there are three possible options for him: either find a seat for 2021, take a break and come back in 2022 or stop for good and retire from Formula 1, a sight that many would like to postpone as long as possible. 

"I think you have to - at least that's how my head works - I think if you make the decision to close the door, you shouldn't make it in such a way that you have the hope to open it again. Unless it is clear from the outset. I believe that you must then be ready for yourself to be ready to keep the door closed. In other words: if it does not open, for whatever reason, then one should not regret the decision.”