Sebastian Vettel to quit Red Bull

Suzuka Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Red Bull at the end of the season the reigning World Champion team announced on Saturday with the German all but certain to replace Fernando Alonso at FerrariRed Bulls Sebastian Vettel waves to the crowd during the Hungarian GP on July 26 PicGetty ImagesRumours that Vettel could be off to Maranello have simmered away for some time now but the announcement made at the Suzuka circuit on Saturday morning nevertheless sent shockwaves through the paddockHe will be replaced by Red Bullbacked Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat currently still in his rookie year in the sportSebastian Vettel has advised us that he will be leaving Infiniti Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2014 season Red Bull said in a statementAs we wish Sebastian well in the next stage of his career we also look to the future with excitement as the vacancy makes way for the next generation of Red Bull racers the statement addedFerrari have yet to confirm Vettels arrival or Alonsos departure but the Germans current team principal Christian Horner let slip that Vettel was heading to MaranelloHe informed us last night and obviously had his reasoning behind that I dont think hed taken the decision lightly and was obviously very emotional about it Horner said before adding If its his desire to be somewhere else then its not right for us to stand in his path As of January 1 hell be a competitor hell be a Ferrari driver he saidThe announcement of Vettels departure comes just days after Ferraris squads star driver Fernando Alonso hinted that he might leave for Red Bull or McLaren as soon as next yearThe Spaniard currently in his fifth season with Ferrari has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of results at the sports most successful team which hasnt won a race in over a year and is on course to record its first winless season since 1993Alonso noncommittalBut with the Red Bull vacancy filled by Kvyat the Spaniard looks set for a return to McLaren though he isnt giving much away at this stageThe news as far as I know is Sebastian is leaving Red Bull Alonso said The other thing is just a guess I am still not decided completely I have a plan in my head I have my mindset for the last two or three months Alonso saidThe Red BullVettel split brings the curtain down on one of the most successful partnerships and longstanding partnerships in Formula One of recent yearsBut Vettel and Red Bulls form has suffered this year as both have struggled to adapt to F1s sweeping new changesIn contrast new teammate Daniel Ricciardo has raced to three victories and remains the only driver apart from the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to have won a race this yearWell its a lot of thingshellip Vettel said explaining his decision You could argue that this year were not successful and thats why its the right time but thats simply not the caseAt some point in life at home you grow up and decide to move out After fifteen years with Red Bull and it feels like leaving home but theres still the hunger and desire to create something new at that in the end made me decide to shut one door and open another