04/10/2014
NEWS STORY
Whatever else, Vettel's 'shock' decision witnesses a savvy PR move by Red Bull, surely worthy of its (pre-2014) on track performance.
When the German informed Christian Horner of his decision to leave Red Bull on Friday evening, the Red Bull PR machine kicked in to action and this morning's statement revealing his departure at season end, and the promotion of Daniil Kvyat, caught not just the paddock but rival teams entirely on the hop.
Still clearly reeling from the news that its golden boy was heading elsewhere, the team, still trying to take on board the fact that its years of domination have come to an abrupt end, turned the situation to its advantage.
While talk of a seat swap with Fernando Alonso has featured in some sections of the media for weeks, Red Bull's statement stopped that one in its tracks, and Ferrari's failure to make some sort of statement of its own has left the Italian team with a certain amount of spaghetti on its face.
It is said that after weeks (months) of positive spinning that all was well, the Spaniard was released from his contract on Thursday and that Vettel's confirmation is imminent. However, in not reacting quicker - surely something that would not have happened during the time of Luca Colajanni, the Maranello outfit has had its thunder stolen and is left looking somewhat silly.
Mercedes, courtesy of Niki Lauda, has made it clear that Alonso is not part of its plans, the Austrian claiming that it hasn't even spoken to the two-time champion, and is indeed on the verge of agreeing a new deal with Lewis Hamilton beyond 2015.
Consequently, attention shifts to McLaren, where Alonso and Ron Dennis will put the troubles of 2007 behind them in an attempt to revitalise the sagging (title winning) fortunes of both parties.
It is widely thought that Kimi Raikkonen will be retained at Maranello whilst Jenson Button looks likely to be the main casualty.
Some are saying that Vettel's move to Ferrari is reminiscent of Michael Schumacher's arrival in 1996 and that once again a German will save the legendary Italian team. However, other than the feeling that Vettel is not a team building driving force in the sense of his countryman, Ferrari doesn't have the 2015 equivalent of the all-conquering partnership that was Schumi, Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne.
Whilst, like many, we were totally wrong about Hamilton's decision to join Mercedes, we cannot help but feel that Vettel's move to Maranello would be a mistake... after all, if Alonso, who rarely gives less than 100%, couldn't make it work...
Despite headlines 'confirming' that Vettel is going to Ferrari and Alonso is returning to Woking, one cannot help but feel that like the best mystery movie there is a twist in the tail.
Either way, kudos to Red Bull's PR for making the best of a bad situation.
Finally, whilst Veteran race team owner Gian Carlo Minardi might have proven a little wide of the mark with some of his predictions back in August - might Vettel still shock us all and go to Woking? - he was uncannily accurate with others.
Chris Balfe