New Ferrari deal for Vettel?
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps
Getty Images
While we’re discussing driver market rumours, here's another one. The are increasing noises that Sebastian Vettel has agreed a new contract with Ferrari.
The word is that it is for one year only - the German wanted to be potentially free at the end of 2018, when Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract also runs out. Although it is likely to have options for beyond that.
There is no official confirmation yet, but Germany’s Sport Bild are now reporting it as fact, and saying it is for “at least another year”.
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Fernando Alonso has overcome his issues to put in the seventh fastest time with a 1:46.889.
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Halfway through final practice and Sebastian Vettel completes his first timed lap on the super-softs, slotting in third but immediately improves with a 1:45.458 to climb to second.