Ferrari’s resplendent new SF1000 car was unveiled to much fanfare in Tuesday’s theatrical launch, but bubbling away in the background was the matter of their 2021 line-up: could Lewis Hamilton replace Sebastian Vettel in 2021?

From Ferrari, the reply to those questions was just short of a resounding ‘no’, with Team Principal Mattia Binotto backing his driver, Vettel, to stay with the squad next season.

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“I think Seb is our first choice at the moment, and it’s something we are discussing with him. He’s certainly our first option, our preference at the moment,” replied Binotto to a reminder that Hamilton is on the market for 2021.

Pressed again as to whether Hamilton could be a “fallback” option, Binotto reiterated: “No, there is not much to add to what I said before. We are focused on our drivers and considering Seb as our option. We are not considering [Lewis].