Formula 1: Will 2020 be Sebastian Vettel’s final season?

With his future at Ferrari in doubt, will the 2020 Formula 1 season be four-time champion Sebastian Vettel’s final season in the sport?

Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel signed a three-year contract extension in what was his third season driving for Ferrari back in 2017 to remain with the Scuderia through 2020.

As such, the 32-year-old German is one of several drivers whose contracts are up after the coming season, which could set up quite an interesting Silly Season for 2021, especially coupled with the rules and regulations overhaul slated for ahead of the 2021 season.

This overhaul includes a budget cap, but said cap does not factor in driver salaries, so quite a lot of driver movement could be in store.

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Vettel may not be immune to that driver movement, with his Ferrari seat being arguably the most heavily discussed seat among the potentially open seats following the 2020 season.

Many drivers have been linked to Vettel’s seat, which would presumably be alongside Charles Leclerc since Leclerc is believed to be under contract in Maranello through at least the 2022 season. The most notable among these candidates is six-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who is set to enter a contract year in what is slated to be his eighth season at Mercedes in 2020.

Given Vettel’s recent poor form and the points that he has thrown away over the last three years, including dozens upon dozens of points in the 2017 and 2018 seasons that would have won him both titles over Hamilton if you do the math, he will more than likely need somewhat of a rebirth in 2020 to retain his seat at Ferrari in 2021, especially after his latest gaffe involved wrecking Leclerc, albeit unintentionally.

On multiple occasions, most notably when his Canadian Grand Prix victory was stripped from him due to a controversial penalty, Vettel himself has alluded to the idea that Formula 1 isn’t what it once was in his early years.

These remarks came not even two years after he stated in 2017 that he would retire when he is no longer having fun, and suffice it to say that the 2019 season was one of his worst seasons.

So when his current contract expires, will he be back in 2021?

Bernie Ecclestone doesn’t believe it, and he is certainly not alone in that belief. Here is what he had to say, according to Sport Bild.

"“I haven’t seen him lately doing whatever he can to win. I would not put my money on it [Vettel remaining in F1 in 2021], but he will make the right decision.”"

Vettel has been linked to seats at other teams, including Mercedes if Hamilton replaces him at Ferrari. A return to Red Bull Racing has also been rumored if Max Verstappen leaves for Mercedes, and a ride with the Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo Racing to try to regain his mojo for a potential second stint at Ferrari following several seasons filled with unforced errors isn’t out of the question.

Most recently, he has been linked to a seat at McLaren, but given their current driver lineup, the contracts of both drivers and their 2021 engine deal with Mercedes, it’s hard to see anything changing and anybody other than Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr. competing for the Woking-based team in 2021.

When the 2021 Formula 1 season rolls around, will Sebastian Vettel still be competing? If so, where will he end up? Will he remain at Ferrari for at least another year?