A few days after Vettel's announcement on May 12, Carlos Sainz Jr. was signed to replace the German, and when the music stopped, Renault's Daniel Ricciardo was to take the seat of the 25-year-old Spaniard at McLaren in 2021.
In an interview with Amanda Davies of CNN Sport, Ricciardo said he had had ongoing discussions with Ferrari until the decision to join McLaren. Throughout his career, the 30-year-old Australian has always been linked to a stint on the Italian team.
"There were already discussions a few years ago. And this has continued until now," said Ricciardo. "So yes, I won't deny it. But obviously, that never really materialized."
Ricciardo's two parents are of Italian origin. His father was born in Italy and his Australian mother was born to Italian parents. But he doesn't know why he never joined the Maranello team.
"I don't really know and I never really chose to dive too deep into it. Everyone says it would be a good fit, obviously, with my name and all the background stuff, but yeah, I'm trying to not to be moved in any kind of situation.
"I see how well Carlos suits the team. So I don't really look at him as" why not me? "I'm just looking: Yes, Carlos had a great year in 2019. Yeah, he's a little hot right now, and I guess it's a good choice for where they are."
Moving to McLaren
The coronavirus pandemic means that these movements for next season have been finalized before a race even took place in 2020.
Ricciardo's full season with Renault last year was his worst performance in F1 in six years, as the team finished fifth in the constructors' rankings, 54 points behind McLaren, fourth.
In his first interview since his multi-year deal with McLaren was confirmed, the Australian said he had "thought a lot" about the change.
"I guess no decision is ever in black and white. And I can't really give you an answer in black and white. There was not a moment, which was like a light bulb and said: "Yes, that's what I have to do." Likewise, there was nothing I saw at McLaren, what created it, or there was not something at Renault , which created the moment of "I must continue".
"Discussions with McLaren go back as far as, I guess, 2018, and I guess it has continued over time.
"Obviously, it's not an overnight decision. I guess to compare the two equally, I don't think it's fair."
The future of Vettel
Before joining Renault, Ricciardo spent six years at Red Bull, including a season in 2014 at Vettel.
Given the series of incidents between Vettel and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc last season, Ricciardo said he was not surprised that the four-time world champion had separated from the Italian team.
"I don't mean the writing was on the wall, but a few of these incidents made the news a little less traumatic."
Ricciardo not only believes that the 32-year-old German wants to continue in this sport, but also hopes that he will.
"If I know him well enough, I think he is still hungry and is competitive enough to want to continue."
"Also, because he's even older than me. So that doesn't make me the oldest guy," says Ricciardo.
"I like Seb. Obviously, I had him as a teammate, but as a competitor, he brings something to our sport.
"He is one of the very few if not the only one who is not active on social media, and he is one of the best performers in our sport, but he is one of the most private. And even that in itself brings a lot of mystery behind it. "
Living on the farm
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ricciardo lived on the family farm in Perth, Australia, surrounded by sheep, cows and alpacas.
Although he calls the forties "bizarre", the 30-year-old also adopted the slower pace of life and thinks that it allowed him to refocus on his objectives.
"I still see myself as a very strong competitor for many years to come and I am getting older, but I always feel that there is a lot of fire in me that just wants to start again.
"I think it has been fueled more than anything. Yeah, because it feels pretty lonely on the farm, which is good, but I'll be honest, I miss the spotlight and the spotlight and the chaos of F1 and of the competition. I want it again, very soon. "
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Back to action in Austria
If the modified F1 calendar continues, Ricciardo should regain this feeling on July 5, when the sport plans to start a shortened season with the Austrian Grand Prix.
"It will be interesting to see in Austria where everyone stands out and stands out and who could be a little rusty.
"I obviously have a lot of confidence in the field. We are obviously all experienced and professional. I expect [nerves], probably by excitement.
"What that equates to I don't know, if it could amount to incredible overtaking and a mad rush or it could mean a chaotic kind of first lap race, you're going to get a mixture of emotions for sure."
For public health reasons, no fan should attend the first F1 racing weekend in 2020. But despite what will surely be a lack of atmosphere, Ricciardo is in a hurry to return.
"Obviously, I miss it. I miss it very much. The weekend was two years since my last podium. Personally, I want this feeling.
"When I signed with Renault, the goal, I think the second year, was to get a podium and that's something I still want to do. And I think it can be done. So yes, it would be a good little off-delivery for everyone involved.
"I certainly know that I still owe a lot to Renault and I want to do it, not only for myself, but for them. And after the news, it was really nice. I received a lot of positive feedback from team.
"And I know they are delighted that I am spending the rest of the year with them, that I am doing my best and that I hope to win as many races as possible."
