Sebastian Vettel will drive for Racing Point next season after completing a multi-year deal with the team.
Racing Point are to be rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021 and four-time world champion Vettel, deemed surplus to requirements by Ferrari, will head up the project.
Vettel’s announcement hijacks Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix at the Italian team’s home track in Mugello this weekend.
The 33-year-old German will team up with Lance Stroll, 21, the son of Canadian fashion billionaire Lawrence Stroll, a co-owner of Racing Point.
The announcement comes after Sergio Perez revealed on Wednesday night that he was no longer wanted by Racing Point after seven years with the Silverstone-based team.
“I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company,” Vettel said.
“I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter.
“I still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.”
Vettel heads into the ninth round of 17 this weekend a lowly 13th in the championship following the worst campaign of his career.
He will be replaced by current McLaren driver Carlos Sainz at Ferrari next year following Charles Leclerc’s emergence as the Italian team’s pick to end a drivers’ championship drought which stretches back to 2007.
Vettel, who won four consecutive titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, and in terms of victories is the third most successful in the sport’s history behind only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, was signed by Ferrari to end that period without success.
But the Italian hierarchy grew tired of a number of error-strewn seasons by Vettel which allowed Hamilton to march to the last three world championships.