Ferrari and Vettel at loggerheads over contract duration?

Sebastian Vettel-Ferrari
©WRI2

Contract talks between Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel for 2018 may be complicated by the German driver's insistence on a simple-one-year extension.

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne revealed recently that a potential deal had been delivered to Vettel, and that it was now the driver's choice to remain at Maranello.

Reports last month claimed that Marchionne may have tabled a highly enticing offer worth 120 million euros associated with a three-year extension of Vettel's contract with Ferrari. 

But Finland's Ilta Sanomat newspaper now cites sources saying Ferrari and Vettel may in fact not be in agreement over the duration of a new deal, with the German pushing for a mere one-year contract in order to leave his options open for 2019.

"It's true that I haven't got a contract yet," Vettel admitted, "but I think the primary objective at the moment is not worrying about papers but making sure we get good results." 

Future options for Vettel could include a deal with Mercedes for 2019, with pundits believing that Lewis Hamilton could retire at the end of next season when his Silver Arrows contract ends.

As he leads the world title fight, Vettel insists life is good at Ferrari however.

"As I've said, I'm not in a rush, I don't think the team (Ferrari) is in a rush, and as far as I understand I think I have a good contact with the team and they would tell me otherwise," said the 30-year-old.

"So as I've said there's no problem -- nothing wrong."

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