Sergio leaves Racing Point, Vettel moves in
Sergio Perez revealed today that he will be leaving Racing Point from 2021. Sebastian Vettel will replace him in the renamed Aston Martin team for ‘2021 and beyond’.
Adios Checo!
Sergio Perez said the 2020 season would be his last with the Silverstone-based squad, despite the fact he signed a three-year contract just last year. Four time world champion Sebastian Vettel will replace him.
He added that he has no “Plan B” in terms of a drive for 2021, and that the move “hurts a bit as I bet on the team during very rough times” – referring to the period in 2018 when the team went into administration, before being bought out by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll.
In a statement he said: “Everything in life always has a beginning and an end, and after seven years together, my time with the team will come to an end after this season.
“It hurts a bit as I bet on the team during very rough times; we managed to overcome obstacles and I am very proud of saving the jobs of several of my team mates.”
Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer said: “Perez has been part of the Silverstone family for seven years and in that time has become one of the most complete drivers on the grid.
“If there was ever a sniff of a podium, Perez was ready to pounce, and those five podiums represent some of the finest days in the history of this team.
“Outside of the car, Checo is a true character and a good friend, and it’s been a pleasure working with him for such a long time. Although we will say goodbye at the end of the year, there are still nine races to go and plenty of opportunities for Checo to make some more special memories with this team.”
ENTER SEBASTIAN VETTEL
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.
Racing Point say the 33-year-old’s deal, which is for ‘2021 and beyond’, “is a clear statement of the team’s ambition to establish itself as one of the most competitive names in the sport.”
Seb said, “I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future, I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. It’s 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.
“The energy and commitment of Lawrence [Stroll] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together. I 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.”
Vettel 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.
Sergio Perez had a multi-year deal which ran until the end of 2022 while Stroll’s son Lance is in the other seat.
1000th race for Ferrari
But on Wednesday evening, 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.
“Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news,” said Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. “Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.
“On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t 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.”
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.