Sebastian Vettel Joins Ferrari F1 Team: Latest Details, Reaction and More

Sebastian Vettel's long-anticipated arrival as a Ferrari driver has been made official, after the Italian outfit confirmed the German will race under its banner in 2015.

The four-time Formula 1 champion's departure from the Red Bull team had already been announced, but Ferrari confirmed on Thursday he has now signed a three-year deal:

He replaces Fernando Alonso, who after five years with the manufacturer has parted ways and is expected to join up with McLaren, per Autosport's Jonathan Noble:

Upon the announcement that his agreement was official, Vettel spoke of ex-Ferrari superstar Michael Schumacher as an inspiration behind his choice to join, per Eurosport:

With the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the only race of the 2014 Formula 1 season now remaining, Vettel can climb no higher than fourth at the end of a troubled final season in Red Bull colours.

Speaking to the official Scuderia Ferrari website regarding his latest career move, Vettel said:

"

The next stage of my Formula 1 career will be spent with Scuderia Ferrari and for me that means the dream of a lifetime has come true. I already got a small taste of what the Ferrari spirit means, when I took my first win at Monza in 2008, with an engine from the Prancing Horse built in Maranello.

The Scuderia has a great tradition in this sport and I am extremely motivated to help the team get back to the top. I will put my heart and soul into making it happen.

"

At the turn of the century, Ferrari was the dominant force in Formula 1, but the team has experienced a decline in recent years and hasn't won a constructors' championship since 2008.

The Italian giants thanked Alonso for his service to the team's cause. Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci released a statement via the official website, which reads:

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In the Scuderia Ferrari roll of honour of great drivers, Fernando Alonso will always occupy a special place. We offer him our heartfelt thanks for what has been an extraordinary adventure with the Scuderia, when in the past five years, he twice came so close to winning the world championship.

I am sure that a great driver like Fernando will always hold the Prancing Horse dear to his heart and I also expect the Ferrari fans will continue to hold him in high regard in his future endeavours.

"

At Ferrari, Vettel will hope to see a dramatic turnaround in performance, something which will depend largely on the technological improvements the manufacturer can make in time for 2015.

The 27-year-old can only hope man will complement machine in the way he envisions, as he embarks upon this latest leg of his Formula 1 journey. Recapturing the form of his four successive championships will be no easy task, but Ferrari offers the means for a resurgent return to the summit.