FÓRMULA-1

Mercedes should consider Vettel availability for 2021, says Wolff

Current champion of Formula 1, Mercedes must analyze the situation of Sebastian Vettel when deciding the 2021 team, said team boss Toto Wolff on Tuesday.
Ferrari had already announced that the four-time world champion will leave Maranello when his contract expires at the end of the season.
"Sebastian is a great driver, a remarkable personality and an advantage for any Formula One team," said Wolff, according to quotes provided by Mercedes.
The Austrian is currently negotiating a new deal with six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"Looking to the future, our greatest loyalty is to the current Mercedes drivers, but of course we need to take this development into account."
Hamilton and Finnish Valtteri Bottas will be without a contract with Mercedes at the end of the season, and Wolff's comments will be taken into account by both.
The media has been speculating about Hamilton's 35-year-old move to Ferrari, but the Briton has shown signs that he plans to stay with the team, which has won the last six driver and constructor titles.
The mere fact that Vettel is available gives Mercedes some ammunition, at least when it comes to negotiating salaries.
Bottas was runner-up last year and has been a trusted teammate for Hamilton, who has an easy relationship with the 30-year-old.
It is a stark contrast to Hamilton's near break with Nico Rosberg, a former German colleague who retired shortly after winning the 2016 championship.
The relationship went from friendly to practically icy when Mercedes, which returned as a construction company in 2020 when it bought the Brawn GP, ​​became more competitive.
Hamilton himself replaced seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, who won five of his titles with Ferrari at Mercedes in 2013.

by Alan Baldwin