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Formula One: Sebastian Vettel extends deal with Ferrari for three years

By Alex Herbst

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 25: Sparks fly behind Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF70H on track during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 25, 2017 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 25: Sparks fly behind Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF70H on track during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 25, 2017 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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Sebastian Vettel will be sticking around with the red dragons for a while longer, inking an extension with the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team.

Sebastian Vettel has been pinned as the man responsible for the resurgence of Ferrari in 2017, helping the historic team through some challenging years without wins. He now leads the Formula One world championship by 14 points over Lewis Hamilton, the first time the team has been a true championship contender in many years. With that in mind, Vettel and the Maranello-based team have signed an extension for the driver through 2020.

Vettel will continue to be anchor driver for Scuderia Ferrari for at least the next three seasons. This ends some speculation that he could consider a move to Mercedes, with Valtteri Bottas only with the team on a one-year deal. With the confirmation of Vettel staying, it is widely expected that Bottas will continue with the silver arrows for at least another season.

The new deal for Vettel also locks in the Ferrari lineup for the 2018 season. Kimi Raikkonen was confirmed earlier to continue with the team for another year, despite some challenges and rifts this year over his chances to win. With one of the top teams filling their lineup, one can expect that many other teams will solidify their lineups in the coming weeks.

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In true Ferrari fashion, the press release confirming that Vettel was staying put was succinct and to the point:

"“Scuderia Ferrari has extended its technical and racing agreement with driver Sebastian Vettel for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 racing seasons of the Formula One World Championship.”"

Now that Sebastian Vettel has his contract worries out of the way, all the focus will turn to the championship hunt in 2017. While questions may remain about whether or not Ferrari will contend for the title next year, being able to win another title this year would go a long way to bringing the red dragons back to the top.

Next: What to Watch for in the Belgian Grand Prix

Are you excited to see Sebastian Vettel return to Scuderia Ferrari for three more years? Be sure to tune in to see him and all the drivers of the Formula One world championship in the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday from Spa-Francorchamps. Also be sure to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it. Follow us on both Instagram and Twitter as well.

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