In a brief statement, in the moments following today's final practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari confirmed that it has agreed a new multi-year contract with Sebastian Vettel.

"Scuderia Ferrari has extended its technical and racing agreement with driver Sebastian Vettel for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 racing seasons of the Formula One World Championship," it read.

The deal will have an impact not only on next year's 'musical chairs' but also that of the years that follow, what with so many contracts coming to an end and Ferrari seen as one of the key seats.

The announcement of the team's decision to retain Kimi Raikkonen earlier this week was seen by many as a definite sign that Vettel would be staying, however interest centred on the length of the deal.

With Vettel and Ferrari now off the market, a number of other announcements should follow, with most interest focussed on whether Mercedes will stick with Valtteri Bottas.

Over the last 24 hours, Fernando Alonso has been linked with a move to Williams, but with Honda surely set to improve and the Grove outfit seemingly on the wain, one has to feel that should he make the move, not for the first time the Spaniard will have jumped ship too early.

Check out our Saturday gallery from Spa, here.