'Sebastian Vettel's not in F1 to make up the numbers'

Franz Tost believes Sebastian Vettel is more likely to retire than join a midfield team just to stay in Formula 1.

Earlier this month Vettel announced that this year’s championship would be his final one as a Ferrari driver.

“My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020,” said the German.

“In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony.

“The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season.”

The four-time World Champion added that he would spend some time looking at his options before making a decision on his future.

Should Vettel decide to stay in Formula 1, Renault is the highest placed team with a seat available for next season.

The team will be losing Daniel Ricciardo to McLaren with the Aussie signed to replace Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz.

But with Renault having failed to reach the podium since returning to F1 as a works team in 2016, Tost doubts Vettel is open to just making up the numbers

“He is not a driver who just wants to be on the starting line-up,” he told Kronen Zeitung.

But, the AlphaTauri boss added: “The end of something always means the beginning of something else.”

Tost, who worked with Vettel during his Toro Rosso days, believes the four-time World Champion still has the talent required to win a fifth title.

He just needs the right car.

“It depends on which cockpit he gets,” he said, “then he has a real chance of winning races and another World Championship.

“I know Sebastian and that is certainly his main goal.”

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