Vettel leaving Red Bull at the end of 2014 season

Suzuka, Japan (SportsNetwork.com) - Four-time consecutive Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel confirmed on Saturday that he will leave Red Bull at the conclusion of this season.

Vettel, a 27-year-old German who has been competing in F1 since 2007, is expected to join Ferrari for the 2015 season. Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen currently drive for Ferrari, but Alonso is widely rumored to either move back to McLaren or possibly head over to Red Bull.

In making his announcement, Vettel said on his personal website, "After 15 very enjoyable and successful years with Red Bull, I have decided to leave Red Bull at the end of this year. Of course it is a big step and hard to make such a decision. The chance to drive in F1, the first win with Scuderia Toro Rosso (2008 Italian Grand Prix), the four championship wins with Infiniti Red Bull Racing and many other great memories have bound Red Bull and myself together into a kind of family. No one can take these times away from us."

Vettel also noted on his website that an announcement of his future plans will be made "very soon."

On Friday night, Vettel informed Red Bull of his decision. Red Bull then announced on Saturday that Daniil Kvyat will join the team and pair with Daniel Ricciardo next season. Kvyat, a Russian, is a rookie in F1 this year, driving for Toro Rosso, the sister team of Red Bull.

Vettel has been driving for Red Bull since the start of the 2009 season, winning 38 grand prix and scoring 44 poles in his six seasons with the team. Vettel and Red Bull have claimed the F1 drivers' and constructors' championships the past four years.

Red Bull said in a statement, "We want to warmly thank Sebastian for the incredible role he has played at Infiniti Red Bull Racing for the last six years. Since joining the team in 2009, Sebastian, together with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, has scored 38 wins, 44 poles and eight world championships, including four divers' titles and four constructors'. If you include Sebastian's success at Red Bull's second team, Scuderia Toro Rosso, the Red Bull total increases to 39 wins and 45 poles.

"As we wish Sebastian well in the next stage of his career, we also look to the future with excitement, as the vacancy makes way for the next generation of Red Bull racers. The Red Bull Junior Program has developed some proven talents in recent times, including Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, who has excelled in the RB10 and become a three-time Formula One race winner in his first season with the team.

"We're pleased to announce that Daniel will be joined in the team for 2015 by another rising star from the junior program, Daniil Kvyat."

Vettel has yet to win a race or a pole this season. His best finish of the year occurred two weeks ago with a second-place run in the Singapore Grand Prix. He is presently fifth in the F1 world championship point standings (117 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes). Last year, Vettel tied Michael Schumacher's season-record of 13 wins and matched Alberto Ascari's record of nine consecutive victories.

"I know (Vettel) well on and off track, and you can see he's had a lot on his mind recently," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told reporters on Saturday, prior to qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. "Inevitably, you don't take a decision like this lightly, but it was last night that he sat down with us and told us for the first time. All I can do is wish him the very, very best for the future. He'll still be close to our hearts here at Infiniti Red Bull Racing, but as of January 1, he'll be a competitor."

Kvyat's promotion to Red Bull opens up a seat at Toro Rosso for next year. Rookie Max Verstappen, a 17-year-old who is now competing in the FIA European F3 Championship, is already confirmed with Toro Rosso for the '15 season.