Ever since Scuderia Ferrari stated their intention in May to not retain Sebastian Vettel beyond 2020, a whole host of motorsport faces both past and present have chipped in with their thoughts on what the 4-time F1 Drivers’ World Champion should do next. Now, following an interview posted on formula1.com, it is the turn of Daniel Ricciardo to share his advice on the future of Sebastian Vettel. The much-loved Aussie is in no doubt that should Vettel head to Aston Martin Racing in 2021, he will be in unknown territory in comparison with his past triumphs.  

Daniel Ricciardo would be considered by many to be a man who knows Sebastian Vettel very well both on and off track due to the fact the pair were teammates for Red Bull Racing in 2014. Ricciardo also experienced the process of leaving a major F1 team – Red Bull Racing – for a midfield team.  

Since 2019, Daniel Ricciardo has been driving for Renault F1 Team and this is far from the past glories the Perth native experienced when driving for the team that gave him wings. Ricciardo sees a similarity between Vettel leaving the Scuderia Ferrari powerhouse and joining Aston Martin Racing. Despite there still being no guarantee, this will come to pass, Ricciardo shared his thoughts with the official website of Formula One, nonetheless. 

“For Seb, in his situation he has had pretty much his whole career in the sport running at the front,” said Ricciardo. “I would say that probably every year he has contested in F1 he has been on the podium, if not won.” 

Daniel Ricciardo’s next comments are surprising considering how successful Racing Point has been so far in 2020 but still the Renault driver considers that any move to Racing Point, rebranded as Aston Martin, would be a step backwards.  

“If it is the case that he goes into a midfield team, it is foreign territory for him. It requires a bit more of an open mind, and some patience, but that is up to him and where he sees the next chapter of his career.” 

“If he still has the will and drive to compete at the top level, then I hundred percent think he should continue in the sport. But if it is in the midfield it is normally a longer play. You have to show commitment not just for another 12 months but two or three years.” 

Daniel Ricciardo is not the only commentator this week making headlines about his thoughts on Sebastian Vettel. The latest edition of the F1 Nation podcast featured an interview with former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan.         

“Of course you’d love [Vettel] in the car,” Jordan said. “I got my best results, if you like, my first ever win was with Damon Hill, and he was bordering on retiring age… So for sure, four times world champion, Vettel is a huge prize for any team. But would you destroy the team that has Sergio, plus income, plus money, and a good rhythm inside the team?” 

Everyone seems to have something to say about what Sebastian Vettel should do but no one knows what his decision will be. Either way, Daniel Ricciardo clearly wishes the best for his former teammate as shown when he was asked whether Vettel will stay in Formula One.  

“But that is something only he could answer. As a previous teammate, I like Seb, I certainly respect him in the sport. That is why if he wishes to continue I hope he finds a place where he is happy.” 

Daniel Ricciardo mentioning that word ‘happy’ gave me a flashback to Sebastian Vettel’s statement which he gave to Sky F1 when he left Red Bull Racing in 2014. On this day, Sebastian Vettel stated: 

“I am leaving a very, very happy place which is why it is always difficult, but at some point in your life I think you feel that you want to do something new and something different...That feeling has kept growing and led me to decide to leave Red Bull and go and start a new chapter.” 

Now, 6 years since this announcement, Scuderia Ferrari have taken away the opportunity for Vettel to be racing for the Prancing Horse in 2021. Millions of Sebastian Vettel fans would agree that they want the next chapter to be a happy one. Time will tell as to whether it is a story that is continued on or off the Formula One grid. 

Sebastian Vettel still has lots of races to come and many of those are triple headers: https://www.motorlat.com/notas/formulae/16311/f1-andreas-seidl-quot-triple-headers-cannot-be-the-new-standard-quot