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

Vettel’s future in F1 has looked uncertain ever since Ferrari announced the ꦚfour-time world champion would be leaving upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the year, before confirming McLaren dri♒ver 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 next season.

Mercedes is ꦑyet to announce its line-up but is expected to continue with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, while Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren switch a♚nd Fernando Alonso’s F1 comeback with Renault have closed other avenues.

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

It has since emerged 💛that Vettel has been offered a contract by Racing Point team owner Lawᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚrence Stroll for when his squad rebrands to Aston Martin next year.

According to Germany’s Bild newspaper and Sky Ge𒊎rmany, a d💎eal could be agreed and concluded soon.

Speaking at last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria, Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer all but ruled out a move for Vettel, pointing to the fact both Sergio Per🧸ez 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,ꦅ but maybe that's because the car is a bit quicker now,” he said.

"We have long contracts with both our drivers, so it would only be l꧅ogical that we don't have spa🎶ce.”

While Stroll is naturally well-placed given his father owns 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 haveꦗ suggested that Perez’s contract may 𓆏include a break clause that would enable Racing Point to make a change before his deal runs out at the end of 2022.

The Mexican only agreed fresh terms with Racing Point ♓last year.

Such a scenario would leave Perez suddenly scrabbling to secure a new drive for 2021, with little in the way of competitive options ꦦavailable to him.