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'I honestly don't know' - Vettel's F1 career stuck in limbo as more teams rule him out for 2021

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Sebastian Vettel (Scuderia Ferrari / Instagram)
Sebastian Vettel (Scuderia Ferrari / Instagram)

• Vettel's time at Ferrari is not looking to end on a positive note.

• Vettel open to joining Red Bull in 2021.

• Red Bull and Aston Martin have ruled him out as a future driver.

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Sebastian Vettel has hit back at claims his poor performance with Ferrari this season is due to him dragging his heals because he will no longer be at the team next year.

The Scuderia's SF1000 is down on Sebastian Vettel has hit back at claims his poor performance with Ferrari this season is due to him dragging his heals because he will no longer be at the team next year.ace compared to Mercedes and Red Bull with pundits even going as far as to say it is only the fifth fastest car on the grid.

While both Ferrari's of Vettel and team mate Charles Leclerc failed to make it past the second lap of the Styrian GP, things aren't looking good for Vettel in particular and it doesn't bode well for his final season with Ferrari.

However, the German insists he won't run away from the fight.

Not running away

Asked if he could yet quit mid-season, Vettel told Formula 1 TV: "No, I don't think so. So I'm not running away from it. I think I have something to prove, mostly to myself. And that's what I'm here for. Obviously, a lot of guys in the team have given so much to me in the last couple of years, and just out of respect I want to give that support back and bring it to a worthy end.

"I'm not at all even considering running away."

But while the 33-year-old will continue to race in this year's championship, next season's plans have yet to be decided.

Vettel has made it clear that he would be open to a move to Red Bull but that door was shut by Christian Horner on Friday.

The team boss said it was a "definite no" to Vettel rejoining his old team for 2021 as Red Bull intended sticking with Alex Albon as Max Verstappen's team mate.

READ: 'I am sorry': Leclerc after nightmare start causes double Ferrari retirement

Shortly after Racing Point, which will be Aston Martin next year, ruled out signing as the German as it has "long" term contracts with Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

Renault has also shut Vettel out, instead signing Fernando Alonso.

For now, Vettel has no idea what 2021 holds.

He said: "I don't know, this is the honest answer right now. I mean I haven't signed anything. I have no contract for next year or beyond. So, anything could be an option, remaining in F1, taking a break, or quitting. No doubt it's a very big question that I'm also asking myself first, and a big decision to take.

"I've known nothing else so far in my life, racing is my life, and as I said previously I know for a fact that if the right package comes up, then I'm very, very interested. If not, then I'm certainly not the type of guy that just hangs around just to participate or grab some money. I think that has never been my intention."

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