Vettel wants a Mercedes-challenger, not a mid-field challenger. "That's where Aston Martin wants to be.". Perez has been ousted in favour of the departing Ferrari driver as Lawrence Stroll's team transitions into the Aston Martin era. That paved the way for Racing Point to announce Vettel – who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 - would be joining them, alongside Stroll, for their first season under the Aston Martin brand. The German had been in discussions with billionaire Lawrence Stroll’s team for several months, following Ferrari's decision to let him go at the end of the year, with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz taking his place alongside Charles Leclerc next year. In a first TV interview since it was confirmed that Vettel would be replacing Perez for 2021, Szafnauer opened up to Sky Sports F1 about the big move, the decision-making process, and the close call between the two drivers. The team, who will become Aston Martin for 2021, eventually decided that Perez, a seven-year veteran with them and one of F1's most consistent performers, would make way for Vettel, winner of 53 Grands Prix. "So it wasn't a clear decision and I think that's a compliment to Sergio for us to deliberate so long on whether to take a four-time world champion with all the experience that Sebastian brings.". The signing of Sebastian is a clear statement of the team’s ambition to establish … Reports emanating out of Italy claim that Sebastian Vettel is set to be announced by Racing Point as one of its drivers for 2021 over the course of next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel will drive for Racing Point starting next season. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.”. From the most wins in F1 history to the most experienced driver – 8 amazing records that were broken in 2020, How McLaren emerged as Mercedes and Red Bull’s biggest threat – and why they could be a factor in 2021, ‘I need to pick my fights better’ – Leclerc targeting Lap 1 improvements in 2021, WATCH: The funniest moments of the 2020 F1 season, starring Norris, Ricciardo and the Williams pit crew, Coming back to win – Why Aston Martin's first F1 entry was one to forget. The contract of Sergio Perez contains an exit clause of millions which could free up a spot for Vettel. Joshua vs Fury - who rules the world in 2021? "It wasn't easy. “I was also giving an elbow greeting to (Mercedes boss) Toto (Wolff) and to (Red Bull principal owner) Christian (Horner) and other people in the paddock,” Vettel … Sebastian Vettel joins Racing Point next season to replace Sergio Perez after leaving Ferrari. "The energy and commitment of Lawrence [Stroll] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together. Sebastian Vettel has reportedly decided to make the switch from the Red to the Pink by swapping Ferrari for Racing Point for the 2021 season. Racing Point driver Sergio Perez believes Sebastian Vettel has made a "great decision" to join the team for 2021 and believes he will have "fun". “Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news," said Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. Initially, there didn’t appear to be a place for Vettel, given Sergio Perez had a multi-year deal which ran until the end of 2022 while Stroll’s son Lance is in the other seat. Questioned about Vettel's performances, Szafnauer added: "He's 33 years old, I don't think he's forgotten how to drive. Sebastian Vettel will drive for Racing Point next season after completing a multi-year deal with the team. That logically correlates to their position on the standing, third with 120 points. Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer says the decision to hire Sebastian Vettel and axe Sergio Perez "wasn't easy", but believes the four-time F1 champion will lift the soon-to-be Aston Martin team to a "different level". Nevertheless, the German newspaper Bild comes with a possible option for the German, namely Racing Point. One imagines that, until Perez is healthy and back in a Racing Point cockpit, there will be denials and a “no comment” situation from all parties, until the … Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will remain in Formula 1 beyond this season after putting pen to paper with Racing Point, who will rebrand as Aston Martin F1 Team from 2021. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will remain in Formula 1 beyond this season after putting pen to paper with Racing Point, who will rebrand as Aston Martin F1 Team from 2021. To know that, we have to wait for the outcome of Renault’s protest against the Silverstone-based team. However, Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer has been very careful with his choice of words . Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer says the decision to hire Sebastian Vettel and axe Sergio Perez "wasn't easy", but believes the four-time F1 … If your mind isn't quite in it, things like that happen. ", Racing Point F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Sebastian Vettel is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team, Sebastian Vettel says his decision to move to Aston Martin was down to the spirit and potential of the team, Sergio Perez says he won’t be making a quick decision on his future after being replaced by Sebastian Vettel at Racing Point for the 2021 season, Lewis Hamilton believes Sebastian Vettel's move to Aston Martin for 2021 is exciting for the sport, Ole: I can't see benefit of two-week circuit break. "We've been talking to [Seb] for quite some time and the decision was made two days ago," Szafnauer told Sky F1's Martin Brundle and Simon Lazenby ahead of the Tuscan GP. "He will bring with him a world champion's work ethic, and that's what we all want to learn from. As it stands, the options for 33-year-old Vettel are simple: Aston Martin, a sabbatical or retirement. "He did have an inkling, we kept his manager informed of the process all the way through," he insisted. It will be our job to put our arm around him and show him what this team's about, and I think he'll flourish.". WATCH: The Top 10 onboards of 2020, starring Verstappen, Leclerc and Perez, © 2003-2020 Formula One World Championship Limited. Racing Point Formula 1 technical director Andrew Green says that Sebastian Vettel has lost his mojo – and the future Aston Martin outfit can get him back into his 'sweet spot.' Sergio Perez believes Sebastian Vettel will “enjoy” working with “pure racers” at Racing Point in 2021 when they become Aston Martin. From both an observational and statistical standpoint, Racing Point have the third-fastest car behind Mercedes and Red Bull. Renault’s suspicion. Racing Point technical director Andy Green believes the Silverstone-based outfit can put Sebastian Vettel back on the right track when he joins the team for 2021. Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of 2020 and join Racing Point as it rebrands as Aston Martin for the 2021 season. "The team will grow by 45 per cent, we've got great backing from Aston Martin, BWT, and Lawrence [Stroll, owner] and his consortium and because of it we can now afford to do things that we couldn't in the past. Everybody's going to have to raise their game. READ MORE: Sergio Perez reveals he is leaving Racing Point at the end of 2020 in shock announcement. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter. MvG battles back from the brink to edge Cullen, Spurs-Fulham in doubt after season-high PL Covid cases, PDC World Darts Championship: Draw, results, schedule, Taking a knee: Kaepernick, the letter and the Green Beret, F1: Racing Point explain Sebastian Vettel, Sergio Perez 2021 decision, Sergio Perez says he won’t be making a quick decision on his future after being replaced by Sebastian Vettel at Racing Point for the 2021 season, Vettel nearly 'quit' F1, explains Aston Martin move, We would like your feedback, please fill in our survey. F1 "I am a little amazed at how the whole issue has come up now," said the German. "And he'll be a great mentor for Lance [Stroll, 2021 team-mate] too, who's young and fast.". Vettel, 33, was also spotted sharing an elbow bump with Racing Point co-owner Lawrence Stroll. Sebastian Vettel might find himself left out in the cold after Sergio Perez's sponsors offered to stump up more cash to keep the Mexican in his seat at Racing Point. Both Daimler and Toto Wolff have invested separately into Aston Martin Lagonda, along with Stroll’s Racing Point consortium. "Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team. The suspicion: Racing Point has copied certain parts, which are actually on the banned list, 1:1 from Mercedes. We can say the same thing for Sergio Perez with Racing Point… "He will raise the team to a different level, and I'm sure there will be a thousand little things where he will help us get to a new level," he said. "I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. "To drive at your very best on the edge all the time, it's a very mental exercise. The latest, and strongest, rumour is that Vettel is off to join Racing Point. QUIZ: How well do you know Lewis Hamilton's seven World Championships? EXCLUSIVE: The Top 10 F1 drivers of 2020 - as chosen by the drivers. Vettel will join Aston Martin, who will rebrand from Racing Point, for the 2021 season. Racing Point F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Sebastian Vettel is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our … "He was kept aware of what was going on, what he didn't know was because the decision [of the] definitive action wasn't made. We all need a bit of love sometimes. “I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future," said the German. Speculation about Vettel's future ramped up a notch last month following rumors of talks taking place between the four-time world champion and Racing Point. Ahead of Aston Martin’s long-awaited return to the Formula 1 grid in 2021, we are delighted to confirm that four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel has signed up to join the team. Racing Point technical director Andrew Green says that Sebastian Vettel has lost his mojo in Formula 1, and the team can help him recover it when it becomes Aston Martin. Racing Point could push for Sebastian Vettel to take part in Formula 1’s end of season ‘young driver’ test now that Renault has dispensation to run Fernando Alonso there. The team are set to rebrand as the Aston Martin works factory team from 2021, although will continue with Mercedes power. Az elmúlt két évben – néhány fellángolástól eltekintve – Sebastian Vettel gyakorlatilag folyamatosan szenvedett. Vettel is currently 13th in the drivers’ championship, with just 16 points and a best finish of sixth in eight races this year as he has struggled for pace in what has been an uncompetitive Ferrari.