Sebastian Vettel set to leave Ferrari after contract talks break down - reports

An official announcement could be made on Tuesday after the four-time world champion refused a salary reduction

Sebastian Vettel during media day ahead of the 2020 season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Reuters

Sebastian Vettel in action during qualifying for the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix. Reuters

Sebastian Vettel, right, on the podium with Max Verstappen, left, and Lewis Hamilton, centre, after the Hungarian Grand Prix. EPA

Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton tussle during the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. Reuters

Sebastian Vettel during pre-season testing in Barcelona. Reuters

Sebastian Vettel takes part in practice for the French Grand Prix. Getty Images

Sparks fly from Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari during the 2019 Brahrain Grand Prix. Reuters

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc during a photo session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel arrives for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen talk before the United States Grand Prix. Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel is expected to leave Ferrari at the end of this season after the four-time world champion failed to agree terms over a new contract, reports in the German media claim.

German publications Bild and Auto Motor und Sport both reported that the 32-year-old driver, who will be out of contract at the end of 2020, had rejected the terms offered in a new deal.

They said the separation with Ferrari, the sport's oldest and most successful team, could be announced officially on Tuesday.

Italy's Gazetta dello Sport newspaper recently reported Vettel being offered a one-year extension with a salary reduction.

Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 after winning all his titles with Red Bull and dreaming of emulating his boyhood hero Michael Schumacher, who took five of his seven titles with the Maranello-based team.

The father of three told reporters last month that he could have a new deal done before the start of a season delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ferrari have said the German was their first choice to partner Charles Leclerc but reports in Italy said they wanted an answer by the end of April to ensure potential replacements were still available.

Leclerc, who won two races last year and is only 22, has a contract until 2024 and is seen as Ferrari's future and likely first champion since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

The Monegasque outperformed Vettel in his first season at Ferrari last year, finishing ahead of him overall and taking more points, poles, podiums and wins.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, at Renault, and McLaren's Spaniard Carlos Sainz have both been mentioned in media reports as leading candidates to take one of the most coveted seats on the grid. Both are also out of contract at the end of 2020.

Six-time and defending world champion Lewis Hamilton has also been linked to Ferrari but has repeatedly indicated he intends to stay with Mercedes.

Formula One has deferred to 2022 a major technical rule change planned for 2021, meaning teams will use the same cars next year as this.

Ferrari appeared to be behind Mercedes on pace in pre-season testing but have not been able to run their car in race conditions due to the March 15 Australian opener being cancelled.

The sport hopes to get going behind closed doors in Austria in July.