F1 Grand Prix of India - Race

Now who expected this? Sebastian Vettel will be leaving the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team at the end of the 2014 season. That's this year! Filling his massive shoes (metaphorically, that is, we're not implying he has big feet) will be Toro Rosso's teenage wonder boy Daniil Kvyat, who will race alongside Daniel Ricciardo, himself new to the top flight team this season.

The shocking news broke at the ongoing 2014 Japanese Grand Prix weekend, with the team officially announcing that "Sebastian Vettel has advised us that he will be leaving Infiniti Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2014 season. We want to warmly thank Sebastian for the incredible role he has played at Infiniti Red Bull Racing for the last six years."

And what six years that was, with the (still) young German racking up 38 wins, 44 poles and four double world championship crowns (both drivers' and constructors') back to back. Still, it's mighty hard to accept that after all that success, one tough year behind an uncompetitive car (though teammate Ricciardo has managed three wins this season to Vettel's zero) is enough for Vettel to seek the exit door.

What's next? Rumours suggest that Vettel will be heading over to Ferrari next year, while Fernando Alonso will split with the Scuderia to join the McLaren-Honda revival. Let the Formula 1 silly season begin! Racing fans, who do you think of this?