Sebastian Vettel Leaves Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel will not be a Red Bull Racing driver in 2015, after announcing his departure on Saturday morning at the Suzuka circuit in Japan.

The German, who joined Red Bull’s Junior Team at the age off 11, made his F1 debut for BMW Sauber at the 2007 United States Grand Prix. He then moved to Toro Rosso for the final races of the year and after a full campaign with the Italian outfit, switched to Red Bull Racing for 2009.

He has since taken 38 victories and four titles with the team. However, after a more difficult 2014 season, he will leave Red Bull Racing and is hotly tipped to join Ferrari in the place of Fernando Alonso, who is being heavily linked to a return to McLaren.

Team principal Christian Horner confirmed to media on Saturday that Vettel notified him of his decision on Friday evening, after activating a release clause in his contract.

In the same statement, Red Bull Racing announced that Daniil Kvyat - who was previously announced as a Toro Rosso driver for 2015 - will replace Vettel next season and partner Daniel Ricciardo.