Montezemolo predicts future Ferrari seat for Vettel

Luca di Montezemolo is predicting a future Ferrari drive for F1’s new reigning world champion.

Earlier in 2010, en route to becoming the sport’s youngest ever champion with Red Bull, 23-year-old Sebastian Vettel described Ferrari as "special", adding: "Why not go there in a few years?"

The German is under contract with Red Bull for 2011, with an option to extend into 2012.

Cologne tabloid Express reports that Ferrari president di Montezemolo sees Vettel as a natural successor for the struggling Felipe Massa.

"Sebastian is fast, intelligent and young," said the 63-year-old Italian. "He will drive a red car sooner or later."

The team owner of Vettel’s current team, Dietrich Mateschitz, said a month ago: "Seb wants to drive for Ferrari some day. We will make it as difficult a decision for him as possible."

Express also reports that di Montezemolo recently made an offer to entice Red Bull designer Adrian Newey to Ferrari. Newey reportedly turned the offer down.