F1 2021 driver grid: reactions as Sebastian Vettel signs with Aston Martin

Sebastian Vettel will drive for the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021

German star replaces Sergio Perez in the rebranded Racing Point team

(Image credit: Aston Martin F1 Team)

published 10 September 2020

Just 12 hours after Sergio Perez announced he is to leave Racing Point it was confirmed that Sebastian Vettel will next year drive for the Formula 1 team that will be rebranded as Aston Martin.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, is departing Ferrari after five years and signs a deal with the Aston Martin F1 Team for “2021 and beyond”.

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“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 [Lawrence] Stroll’s son Lance is in the other seat. But on the eve of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello – Ferrari’s 1000th race – Perez shocked the F1 world by revealing he will leave the team at the end of the year and has no ‘Plan B’ in terms of a drive. 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 decision to go after Vettel was a no-brainer for Aston Martin. Although Vettel has suffered something of a reputation hit following three mistake-ridden campaigns at Ferrari, he remains a four-time world champion and winner of 53 grands prix, making him statistically at least, the fourth most successful F1 driver of all time. In a competitive car, and with the right team support network around him under effective leadership, there is no doubting Vettel’s abilities behind the wheel of F1 machinery.”

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Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.