F1 News: McLaren says Vettel was never a choice for 2021
McLaren Formula 1 boss Zak Brown says Sebastian Vettel was not considered as a possible 2021 driver because Daniel Ricciardo was already the prime candidate to replace Carlos Sainz Jr


Brown also believes that there could be more "fireworks" in the Ferrari camp involving Vettel and team-mate Charles Leclerc when this season's action finally gets going.
The McLaren boss says he knew over the winter there was a chance Sainz could leave at the end of this year with Ferrari in contact with the Spaniard over a move.
It led to Brown lining up a swoop for Ricciardo who came close to joining the Woking team for 2019.
"Obviously Seb's an awesome driver and a four-time champion," he told Sky Sports F1.
"But I think we were pretty far down the path in the off-season, and knew we would either land with Daniel or [keep] Carlos.
"We never really entertained anyone beyond that, and especially with Seb's late breaking news - we were pretty far down the path at that point."
Brown revealed that he knew Sainz was eyeing a Ferrari opportunity, and confirmed that the Spaniard was given permission to talk to the Italian team, despite having a year of his contract to run.

"I've come to learn in F1 don't expect anything except for the unexpected," he said.
"We had a sense, we started talking to Carlos in the off-season about his future with us and whether he wanted to drive for McLaren or Ferrari.
"We've got a very strong, open relationship with Carlos, his management and his father.
"This didn't come as a surprise, given how quickly we announced Daniel, and how quickly Carlos announced what he was doing. We were very joined up through this entire process.
"I think these movements would have probably happened with or without COVID because we started these conversations pre-COVID."
- SILLY SEASON AND 2021 SIGNINGS
- Ferrari announces Sainz as Vettel replacement
- Ricciardo joins McLaren to replace Sainz
- Ferrari announces Vettel split
- The highs and lows of Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari tenure
-
Perez: Vettel more likely to retire than move teams
- Red Bull can't afford Vettel - Marko
Brown also anticipates there to be a continuation of the tension seen at rivals Ferrari last season.
The two Scuderia drivers were at odds over team orders on numerous occasions in 2019 until tensions boiled over in a clash during the Brazilian Grand Prix which took both Leclerc and Vettel out of the race.
"Clearly it's not a nice environment inside the Ferrari garage at the moment with the drivers and management, it seems to not be a happy family at the moment," Brown said.
"Which I think is going to make for some pretty exciting racing in 2020 because I think we saw in Brazil the fireworks that were inevitable and building up. I'm anticipating more of that this year."
With the quickfire F1 driver announcements yesterday confirming the moves it also left Renault with a space to fill alongside Esteban Ocon for 2021, while Vettel's F1 future remains uncertain.

Brown says Renault is an option for Vettel but believes he may be more likely to retire.
"It really depends, if Seb looks around, it doesn't look like there's a Mercedes or Red Bull opportunity for him, there's not a McLaren opportunity for him, clearly not at Ferrari, so the next best is Renault," he said.
"And the next question is does Seb want to go with a team that is probably not going to win in 2021?
"It's a great team and they too should be moving up the grid but I think unless Seb wants to restart a journey with a team that's back on a journey - then I think he'll end up probably leaving the sport, unfortunately."

Formula 1's great Lotus landmarks - Lotus 72
F1 News: No "bad blood" from Sainz departure, says McLaren CEO Brown

Latest news
Daytona 24, Hour 21: MSR Acura back in front with three hours left
The Meyer Shank Racing Acura was back in front with three hours remaining in the Daytona 24 Hours that opens the IMSA SportsCar season.
Ekstrom defeats Schumacher for fourth Race of Champions victory
Two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom took his fourth Race of Champions title at Pite Havsbad in Sweden after defeating Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher in the final.
Ogier eyes WRC Monte Carlo rematch with Loeb
Sebastien Ogier is keen for a Rally Monte Carlo rematch against Sebastien Loeb in next year's World Rally Championship after becoming the most successful driver in event history.
Webber: Red Bull will remain "dangerous" threat in F1 2023 title fight
Mark Webber believes Red Bull will remain the “most dangerous team” in Formula 1 in 2023 despite facing penalties for its cost cap breach.
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.