( CNN ) -- Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel looks set to join Ferrari after announcing his shock exit from Red Bull on Saturday . The German , who has spent the past six seasons with Red Bull , is being hotly tipped to join the Italian racing marque from the start of 2015 . Vettel broke the news of his departure in Suzuka ahead of Sunday 's Japanese Grand Prix , but has so far remained tight-lipped on his plans . But F1 racing legend Niki Lauda believes all roads now point to Maranello for the German . `` My logic tells me that Sebastian will now go to Ferrari , '' Lauda said , AFP reported . `` Why ? Because Fernando Alonso has fallen out of favor there . There is new management ( at Ferrari ) , they need some new motivation in the team and , of course , Sebastian is the world champion , German and in the same style as ( Michael ) Schumacher , '' added Lauda , who won two of his three F1 world titles with Ferrari . Alonso would n't be drawn on the issue when interviewed by journalists following Saturday 's qualifying session saying his priority was to help Ferrari . Last month , he said there was `` no problem '' with him seeing out the remaining two years of his contract with the Italian team . But Lauda thinks otherwise and says that the Prancing Horse would be well served by `` some German thoroughness '' that Vettel could bring . Ferrari has yet to comment on the status of either driver while Vettel himself says an announcement on his future can be expected `` very soon . '' Vettel 's news shocked the F1 paddock and will bring to an end a long relationship with the UK-based team , first as a junior racer then Toro Rosso before moving to Red Bull in 2009 . In his second season Vettel clinched the first of his four world titles but the 27-year-old has struggled this year and currently lies fifth in the standings and trailing his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo . The Australian is third in the drivers championship , taking the fight to the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg who have dominated this year . It was with this backdrop that Vettel made his move . `` After 15 very enjoyable and successful years with Red Bull , I have decided to leave Red Bull at the end of this year , '' Vettel said in a statement . `` 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 , 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 . '' Musical chairs . No sooner had Vettel announced his impending departure was Red Bull filling the empty cockpit with Daniil Kvyat graduating from the Toro Rosso team after just a single season in F1 . `` It 's been our philosophy for several years now to back youth and grow our own talent and that 's what we did with Sebastian Vettel , '' said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner . `` Daniil 's an exciting talent and prospect and it 's an exciting new dawn for Infiniti Red Bull Racing . '' Horner noted that it had been `` one hell of a journey '' with Vettel referencing both his and the team 's achievements which amount to four constructors ' titles and 38 grand prix victories . `` He joined us as a young man and now he 's matured and he 's decided it 's time to move on , it 's his decision , we 're not going to hold him back and it 's an exciting time for us , '' Horner added . `` I think he reached a stage in his career where he fancied a new challenge , so that 's his prerogative and like in any relationship , if someone 's heart is not in it , then it 's time to move on . '' If Vettel does replace Alonso at Ferrari then the Spaniard could be on his way back to McLaren . Alonso spent one season with the UK-based team in 2007 before moving on Renault then to Ferrari in 2010 . Should he return then either Jenson Button or Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen would have to make way with the smart money on the 34-year-old Briton who is out of contract come the end of the season . Mercedes lockout front row . Meanwhile out on the track , Nico Rosberg pipped teammate Lewis Hamilton to pole in qualifying for Sunday 's race at Suzuka . Williams driver Valtteri Bottas was third quickest with his teammate Felipe Massa directly behind him in fourth . Vettel scraped into the top ten and will start in ninth place while teammate Ricciardo is three places ahead in sixth with Fernando Alonso steering his Ferrari to fifth . Hamilton currently leads Rosberg by three points in the drivers ' championship with five races remaining . Read more : Dutch teenager makes F1 history .
Sebastian Hamilton says his future plans will be revealed ` ` very soon '' Four - time F1 world champion announced Saturday he was leaving Red Bull . Veteran racer Niki Lauda says he could replace Fernando Alonso at Ferrari . Alonso tight - lipped on speculation and has been linked with a move to McLaren .