Aston Martin unveil car for return to circuit after more than 60 years
Aston Martin return to F1 after long absence
LONDON: Sebastian Vettel said he believes he can win another Formula One world title as his new Aston Martin team unveiled their car on Wednesday ahead of a return to the grid.
Vettel, a four-time world champion for Red Bull, endured a miserable end to his six campaigns with Ferrari, finishing 13th in the 2020 standings.
The 33-year-old German is ready to move on to the next chapter of his career with Aston Martin — the historic British name returning to Formula One for the first time since 1960.
“It is not a secret that last year I wasn’t at my happiest,” Vettel said at Aston Martin’s launch, where the rebranded Racing Point team revealed its British racing green livery.
“I know it wasn’t to my standards, that I was below myself, but I am very much at peace with it. I think I have another world championship in me... I am not too old and I still have a long time in me.”
Vettel, whose career tally of 53 Grand Prix wins has been surpassed only by fellow multiple world champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, was positive about his move.
“Things are different here than Ferrari because the team is growing,” he said.
“It is not about the fancy looks and the fancy chairs in the office but the work done behind the scenes and from what I have seen the people are very talented.”
Team principal Otmar Szafnauer has cautioned that it will be three to five years before Aston Martin are in a position to challenge for world championships.
But Vettel said a team backed by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose son Lance is Aston Martin’s other
driver, may get there sooner after F1 chiefs introduced budget caps to ensure greater competition.
“Formula One is changing and
maybe you don’t need those three to five years anymore,” Vettel said.
“Maybe it will shrink and the hope is that everyone will be closer to the
top and not just finish on the podium because the guys at the front retired or crashed.”
The new Formula One season starts in Bahrain on March 28.
Meanwhile, James Bond said he was thrilled and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady threw in support from afar as Aston Martin showed off their first Formula One car in 61 years on Wednesday.
The launch, presented online by Quantum of Solace actress Gemma Arterton, played up the 108-year-old marque’s connection to the fictional British secret agent as the Silverstonebased team started a new era.
“I just want to send a massive congratulations to all at Aston Martin for getting back onto the F1 grid for the first time since 1960,” Bond actor Daniel Craig said in a video message.
“It is an incredible thrill for me, and I’m sure all F1 fans, to see Aston Martin racing again in their iconic Aston Martin Racing Green.
“Go take it to them. I’ll see you on the grid.”
The new James Bond film No Time to Die, due for release in September, features four Aston Martins — the agent’s car of choice.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady offered his support in a video message for a team that last year, as Racing Point, finished fourth overall but won a race and were often third fastest.
“Hey Lance and Seb, looks like your ride is finally here and it looks amazing,” he said. “I’ll be cheering you guys every step of the way... good luck and kick some ass.”
Lawrence Stroll, team owner and father of Lance, is also the executive chairman of Aston Martin and has big plans for expanding the brand and taking his team to the top.
“I have dreamed about this day for a very long time,” he said.
“My first dream was to own a Formula One team. My second dream was to acquire a significant shareholding in Aston Martin Lagonda. Today is about the merging of those two dreams.
“This is just the beginning. The team is pushing forward, and our ambitions are limitless.
“We now have the pieces in place, the people and the partners, to make real progress.”