In this March 12, 2020 photo, Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

BEIJING - Formula One’s annual silly season went into overdrive with Tuesday's announcement that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel would leave Ferrari at the end of 2020 after six years with the Scuderia. The German's impending departure opens up a rare vacancy at one of the sport's top teams, and there will be no shortage of drivers eager to slide into what will likely be a race-winning car. Xinhua takes a look at a few of the leading contenders to partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2021.

In this March 12, 2020 photo, Renault's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo was widely thought to be heading to Ferrari for 2019 when the Scuderia decided to put their faith in Leclerc, and the Australian instead opted for a surprise move from Red Bull to Renault. But though his switch to the Regie has been financially rewarding, results have proved difficult to come by, and Ricciardo would surely jump at the chance to join Ferrari. A proven race-winner with over eight seasons of F1 under his belt, the Australian has both the speed and experience to fit the bill, and his Italian ancestry only adds to the allure of driving for the Maranello squad. But with Leclerc fresh from inking a new five-year contract and seemingly established as Ferrari's number one driver, would an ambitious Ricciardo settle for a supporting role? And would Ferrari risk upsetting the balance of the team by hiring a driver with title-winning aspirations of his own?

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In this March 12, 2020 photo, McLaren's Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Carlos Sainz

After moving from Renault to McLaren, Sainz was a revelation in 2019 in his first role as undisputed team leader, and a maiden podium finish in Brazil was richly deserved. A graduate of Red Bull's young driver program, Sainz can consider himself unlucky to have been passed over for a drive at the drinks-backed outfit, especially given Pierre Gasly's subsequent failure to impress in that seat. Always a quick driver, Sainz has done enough in his five years in F1 to show that he has outgrown the midfield and is ready for a drive at a top team. The 25-year-old would also likely prove a cheaper and more pliant partner to Leclerc than Ricciardo might, and rumors suggest that the Spaniard is the early favorite for the Ferrari drive.

In this March 12, 2020 photo, Alfa Romeo's Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (William WEST / AFP)

Antonio Giovinazzi

Considering the caliber and achievement of other candidates, the relatively unheralded Giovinazzi might appear an unlikely aspirant to fill the second Ferrari seat. But after a difficult start to his first full season in F1, the affable Italian showed notable improvement in the latter half of 2019 and was rewarded with another 12 months at Alfa Romeo. The Hinwil squad's close ties with Ferrari and Giovinazzi's own status as a former Ferrari junior driver also count in his favor, with the 26-year-old's simulator work being highly valued by Maranello. However, though Giovinazzi would be a cheap and willing number two to Leclerc, he still has much to do to prove that he is worthy of a race seat at Ferrari. An outside bet at best.

In this March 12, 2020 photo, Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Valtteri Bottas

Another proven race-winner, Bottas's time at Mercedes has been constantly under scrutiny, with a series of one-year contracts being renewed. On his day, the Finn is capable of blistering speed and has beaten teammate Lewis Hamilton on occasion, but he appears incapable of maintaining the consistency necessary to mount a title challenge of his own. Nonetheless, Bottas has proved a capable number two and is well regarded within Mercedes for his unassuming and easy-going approach. The Silver Arrows have George Russell waiting in the wings, however, and if a seat at Ferrari is available then Bottas might elect to jump ship. The Finn's first-hand knowledge of the multiple title-winning Mercedes team would also make him an attractive proposition to a Ferrari squad eager to bring a 12-year championship drought to a close.

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In this March 12, 2020 photo, Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton poses for a photo at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Lewis Hamilton

Exciting though it would be, this appears wildly unlikely. Six-time world champion Hamilton has enjoyed almost unbroken success since moving to Mercedes in 2013, and his association with the German firm stretches back to his F1 debut in 2007, when Mercedes supplied engines to his McLaren team. Hamilton's superstar status would no doubt upset the apple cart at a Ferrari side seeking to build around Leclerc, and his wage demands may prove prohibitively expensive in these straitened times. The Briton claimed last month that he has no intention of leaving the Mercedes team with whom he has enjoyed so much success. But if Hamilton wins yet another title in 2020, might the lure of a new challenge at Ferrari be too great to resist?