Sebastian Vettel will leave Red Bull Racing at the conclusion of the 2014 Formula 1 season, bound for a seat at Ferrari.

Red Bull announced Vettel’s impending exit in a statement ahead of Saturday’s track running at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion will be replaced in the seat by Russian Daniil Kvyat, who has excelled in his first season at Toro Rosso.

The news comes amid a season that has seen Vettel comprehensively out-gunned by new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

Vettel is now expected to replace Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, with the Spaniard set for a return to McLaren.

“Sebastian Vettel has advised us that he will be leaving Infiniti Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2014 season,” read the Red Bull 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 Drivers’ 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 Programme 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 Programme, Daniil Kvyat.”

Kvyat’s move now leaves a vacancy at Toro Rosso, which has already confirmed 17-year-old Max Verstappen for one of its 2015 entries.