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They cited the regulation, but I'd have to go back & rewatch to find it.

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Originally posted by 220-9er:
The 3 continent or 8 races will not be that hard to hit, even if they don't start until late summer.
The regular season starts back at Spa and hits Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Australia is the only one they don't go to in the 2nd half that they would normally visit in a full season.

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Originally posted by 280nosler:

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Originally posted by 220-9er:
The 3 continent or 8 races will not be that hard to hit, even if they don't start until late summer.
The regular season starts back at Spa and hits Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Australia is the only one they don't go to in the 2nd half that they would normally visit in a full season.

The problem is that the commercial broadcast rights require 15 races. If they don't stage 15 races, the payout of the following year will be significantly lower as a result of loss of income, which is about $180 million worldwide. Reducing the payout bucket by 35% will not go over well with the teams.

Additionally, as a promoter, why would you want to host a race if you cannot sell tickets. The race fees are set amount to F1, so wouldn't you be better off cancelling the race?

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Sebastian Vettel’s future in Formula 1 beyond the end of 2020 has been thrown into doubt after it was announced the German and Ferrari will part ways at the end of the year…

Vettel and Ferrari have been in talks for several months about an extension, with Team Principal Mattia Binotto saying the four-time world champion was his number one choice to race alongside Charles Leclerc next year.

However, they have been unable to agree terms on a new deal, leading to today's announcement.

"My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020,” said Vettel. “In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony.

“The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season. Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.

“What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one’s imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.

“Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its “tifosi” all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years.

“My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far."

Binotto added: "This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best. It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person.

"There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.

“Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us.

"In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.

“On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments.

"We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season."

Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015, stepping into Fernando Alonso's cockpit, with the sole aim of bringing world championship success back to the Scuderia.

However, while Ferrari at times gave him a car to challenge at the top, they were never able to mount a serious, consistent challenge to world champions Mercedes.

Charles Leclerc joined the team last year and immediately put the pressure on and ultimately came out on top, in terms of championship position, wins and poles, raising questions about Vettel's position and future at the team.

Ultimately, Vettel and Ferrari couldn't agree a way forward, making this season - when it eventually gets under way - the German's last with Ferrari.

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Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
The rumors I keep reading are Sainz to Ferrari and Ricciardo to McLaren

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Originally posted by Dwill104:
Ricciardo now realizes that Renault isn’t going anywhere for quite a while and he needs to get out.

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Originally posted by Kuisis:
The real concern is where will Stroll go!!??

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Originally posted by Ripley:

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Originally posted by Kuisis:
The real concern is where will Stroll go!!??

Doesn't daddy have his foot in the door at Mercedes?

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Two days after it was announced Sebastian Vettel would be leaving Ferrari at the end of 2020, the Italian team have confirmed Carlos Sainz as Charles Leclerc’s new team mate from 2021 onwards.

Sainz, 25, will join the Italian squad on a two-year deal after two seasons at McLaren, creating the youngest driver pairing in Ferrari’s recent history in the process.

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In the second big driver move of the week, McLaren have announced the signing of Daniel Ricciardo for 2021 on a "multi-year" deal.

Ferrari revealed on Tuesday that Sebastian Vettel would be leaving the team at the end of the year – a move which has triggered a host of other driver switches up and down the grid.

McLaren today confirmed that Carlos Sainz is leaving the Woking team, with Ferrari expected to announce the Spaniard as Vettel's replacement later today, and following that switch McLaren have moved swiftly to slot Ricciardo into the seat Sainz is vacating.

The Australian is currently partway through a two-year deal with Renault after he left Red Bull at the end of 2018 to join the French manufacturer, but has now clearly decided McLaren are a better bet for his future, especially with Mercedes engines from next year.