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The 2014 season is nearing its end and next season’s driver line-up is still somewhat undecided with only a few driver's seats confirmed for next year.
But the biggest shock wave came in with Sebastian Vettel's departure. Fernando Alonso was caught with his guard down but nevertheless his move away from Ferrari was very much in the cards.
So what exactly led to the defending champion and the 2005 & 2006 world champion move away from the teams that were seen as match made in heaven?
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Fernando Alonso
Considered as one of the best in the sport, the Spaniard is hands down one of the most talented driver currently and his particular ability to put even the uncompetitive Ferrari car on the front speaks of his immense talent.
But after 5 years with the Italian team, he is finally moving away. His next destination is yet to be confirmed but his move away is certain. So what caused him to make a move at the age of 33 in a sport that has seen the age barriers being broken time and again in the last 6 years?
The pursuit of 3rd world title
There's no hiding the fact that Fernando Alonso is still in the pursuit of that ever elusive 3rd world title. Ever since his move to Ferrari in 2010 it was widely speculated that he would be able to add at least one more to his tally of world championships but Ferrari failed to provide him competitive machinery. The prospects of Ferrari being a winning team once again are looking bleak at least for a couple of years to come therefore it was high time for Fernando to look at the extreme alternatives.
The changes at Ferrari
With a wide restructuring of the whole team taking place, Alonso’s position of numero uno was washed away too. Over the years he had woven the team around himself and enjoyed a dominant position. The departure of big names like Stefano Domenicali and Montezemelo broke his dominant position. With his contract running till 2016 there were big indications that he may be shown the way out after 2016 in the name of initiating change.
Sebastian Vettel
No one thought about Vettel leaving Red Bull after winning four world titles in 5 years with the team. Yet in Suzuka to everyone’s surprise he announced his move away. Although his move to Ferrari is yet to be officially confirmed, Christian Horner and Helmut have said enough to for Ferrari fans to rejoice. So what prompted the defending world champion to move away?
Daniel Ricciardo
No matter how much Horner, the entire Red Bull team, Ricciardo and Vettel deny, the fact that the Aussie has been an important factor in his move away cannot be declined. When you have a teammate who is faster than you, even though the fact that you’re the defending world champion, pressure is bound to build up. While Vettel struggled to come to grip with v6 turbo cars, Daniel continued to shine and went so far as to win not once but thrice this season.
A new challenge
Cited as the foremost reason for his departure, there’s no denying the fact that the German is on the lookout for a new environment. Vettel’s competitive nature is not hidden from anyone and it is his nature that is another factor in his movement away for Red Bull to new avenues and challenges. Adrian Newey will step back from actively designing the car from next year onwards and that will certainly act one less incentive to remain with the team.
The Ferrari love
His love for Ferrari is well known and it his evident from one of his interview back in 2010 when he stated that driving for Ferrari is dream for every F1 driver. So a move to Ferrari was very well in the cards. Sebastian is also trying to emulate his idol and source of his love for Ferrari, Michael Schumacher.
Adapting to the V6 turbo cars
Vettel had adopted perfectly to the V8 era cars. But with the new regulations resulting in this year’s car with reduced downforce, Vettel has struggled to come to grips with the V6 cars. Now he has the task to adopt his driving style and Ferrari would be perfect opportunity to do so. Marco Mattiacci stated that it would take Ferrari more or less 2 years to be a winning team again. These two years can provide him the perfect time to adopt as his struggling performances would be masked by the developing Ferrari.
The pursuit for greatness
Although Vettel is four-times world champion, he is not yet regarded as great as his title tally suggests. With critics and fans mostly of the view that Vettel got lucky in landing the Red Bull car at a time when the Austrian team hit a dominant phase coupled with the fact that the rivals had an equally uncompetitive time. If Vettel is able to lift Ferrari up into a winning team again he may very well land a place next to his idol Schumacher in the books of the sport’s greatest.
While both the drivers move away in hope for a better future, the speculation of how they’ll fare brings tremendous interest for next year.
So only one thing remains to be said now: Good luck Fernando and Good luck Sebastian.
