Sebastian Vettel played down the exit of both Antonio Giovinazzi and Daniil Kvyat from development driver roles at Ferrari after 2018.

Both the Italian and the Russian will return to the Formula 1 with Sauber and Toro Rosso respectively, but their absence leaves a significant gap behind the scenes at Maranello.

Robert Kubica was offered to replace one of the outgoing pair but he declined to join Williams and confirm his comeback after nine years off the grid.

“Personally, I’m not a fan of the simulator because it’s just not fun,” Vettel commented. “But you get the point, it is very important, it is an important tool. Based on our findings, we change the car, it is better and we were happier.

“We’re extremely thankful for the guys, taking in the time because it’s not the nicest job on Friday night, especially when you’re young, but it’s important, it all adds up.

“Everybody plays his part and in the end, we have the honour to have the steering wheel in our hands and drive the machine that we all try to create and reach out with performance.

“For 2019, it’s true, we take a step but I think we will find people that fit in very well and very quickly so I’m confident we will have a strong team on that front as well.”

Since then, two drivers have emerged as likely options with former Mercedes junior and Mahindra Formula E racer Pascal Wehrlein reportedly seen at Ferrari's factory on Monday.

No official news has yet been released, however.

Brendon Hartley has also been linked after his departure from Toro Rosso at the end of 2018, his father denied the claim though telling Newshub: "It's just rumours."