Sebastian Vettel “first choice” for 2021 at Ferrari over Hamilton

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has said that Sebastian Vettel is the teams “first choice” to partner Charles Leclerc in 2021 despite being strongly linked with a move for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

While Leclerc has committed his future to Ferrari, signing a five-year contract until the end of the 2024 season, Vettel will become available to any options at the end of this year with his contract coming to an end.
 
Towards the end of last year Binotto expressed his delight of Hamilton being available for the 2021 season but now the Italian has stated that the German is the teams preferred choice.

When asked where the Briton was an option at the Ferrari SF100 launch, he said: "I want to reply on a different way.
 
“I think Seb is our first choice at the moment, and obviously it's something we are discussing with him and we will continue discussing, but he's certainly our first option, our preference at the moment.
 
"It will take the time that is needed. Obviously now we are focused on the car, we are focused on what will be the winter testing and the first races, and there will be a proper time for the rest."

While the four-time World Champion isn’t too worried about his future at the moment, having previously been in a similar position before at the Scuderia.
 
"If you compare to three years ago, I didn't have a contract until August, so strictly speaking I was out of business half a year before the season finished," Vettel said. "So, I don't think it changes much.

"As I said, you're obviously focused on what's going on in the moment. At some point obviously you have to sort out what's going on in the future. But I think we'll have enough time to do so."