Online
\nMUGELLO
\nFormer world champion Sebastian Vettel has signed for the renamed Aston Martin team for the 2021 season \u201cand beyond\u201d, the ambitious British Formula One outfit announced Thursday.
\nThe 33-year-old German won four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013 with Red Bull before joining Ferrari, but the Italian team has not renewed his contract.
\nSigning Vettel was \u201ca clear signal\u201d to the racing world, said Racing Point, which will take the Aston Martin name next year after Canadian billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll\u2019s investment in the British brand.
\nVettel will drive alongside Stroll\u2019s son Lance and replace Mexican driver Sergio Perez who announced on Wednesday he will leave Racing Point at the end of the season.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter,\u201d said Vettel.
\n\u201cThe energy and commitment of Lawrence (Stroll) to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cI still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.\u201d
\nVettel has spent six seasons with the Italian team without repeating his title-winning heroics at Red Bull.
\nThis term has proved particularly difficult with Vettel sinking to 13th place in the championship ahead of Sunday\u2019s Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello in Italy.
\nThe last of Vettel\u2019s 53 victories — the third most in F1 history — came at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix. Only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (89) have won more races.
\nVettel has also finished on the podium a further 67 times.
\n\u201cEverybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news. Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team,\u201d said team principal Otmar Szafnauer.
\n\u201cOn a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can\u2019t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.\u201d
\nRacing Point\u2019s current season has been marred by controversy with accusations they had copied Mercedes\u2019 brake ducts.
\nOn Sunday, Racing Point dropped their appeal against a 15-point deduction and 400,000-euro ($472,000) fine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Online MUGELLO Former world champion Sebastian Vettel has signed for the renamed Aston Martin team for the 2021 season \u201cand beyond\u201d, the ambitious British Formula One outfit announced Thursday. The 33-year-old German won four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013 with Red Bull before joining Ferrari, but the Italian team has not renewed his contract. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-143649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n