Sebastian Vettel has opened discussions with Racing Point to drive for the rebranded Aston Martin Formula 1 team in 2021, according toꦆ reports in Germany.

Vettel’s future in F1 has looked uncertain⛄ ever since Ferrari announced the four-time world champion woul൲d be leaving upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the year, before confirming McLaren driver Carlos Sainz as his replacement.

A subsequent domino effect in the 2021 driver market has left Vettel with seemingly few options of landing a seat for nꦰext season.

Mercedes is yet to announce its line-ꦡup but is expected to continue with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, while Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren switch and Fernando Alonso’s F1 comeback with Renaul🃏t have closed other avenues.

Red Bull ha𒁃s also insisted it is not looking outside of its current drivers, with team boss Christia♏n Horner playing down suggestions it could re-sign Vettel to rekindle its highly-successful partnership that claimed four successive world championship doubles in the early 2010s.

It has since emerged that Vettel has been ofꦉfered a contract by Racing Point team owner Lawrence Stroll for when his squad rebrands to Aston Martin next year.

According to G♒ermany’s Bild newspaper and Sky꧟ Germany, a deal could be agreed and concluded soon.

Speaking at last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria, Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer all but rulꦆed out a move for Vettel, pointing to the fact both Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll are tied down to long-term contracts.

“Like I've said before, it'🌠s flattering that everyone this that a four-time world champion would come to our team, but maybe that's because the car is a bit quicker 🤪now,” he said.

"We have long cont🎉racts with both our drivers, so it would only be logical that we don't have space.”

While Stroll is naturally well-placed given his fat🎶her ownꦺs the team, Perez’s seat looked to be safe considering that he brings substantial backing to the Silverstone outfit, as well as playing a pivotal role in setting off the administration process that ultimately led to Stroll’s takeover.

But the reports have suggested that Perez’s contract may inclu💞de a break clause that would enable Racing Point to make a chan🍌ge before his deal runs out at the end of 2022.

The Mexican only agreed fresh terms with Racin💖g Point last ye🌠ar.

Such a scenaꦺrio would leave Perez suddenly scrabbling to secure a new driv🔜e for 2021, with little in the way of competitive options available to him.