Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel would be Aston Martin's statement to F1

As the rumors surrounding Sebastian Vettel’s future in Formula 1 continue to swirl, linking him to Aston Martin seems to be a very popular avenue for the paddock. Let’s look into why Vettel would be Aston Martin’s statement to Formula 1.

The rumor mill in Formula 1 never stops, and in 2020, it has been no different. For obvious reasons, the main talking point is currently the destination of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel for 2021. Will he remain in the sport, or will he decide his time is done?

Aside of the rumors that were always going to come out, there has not been a solid platform for anybody to stand on with both feet when it comes to Vettel. The Mercedes dream team partnering him alongside Lewis Hamilton is just a pipe dream.

Linking him back to his former team, Red Bull, is just a hope for some. Some think that he may decide to join Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo to have a peaceful ending to his career. That one just sounds too romantic, especially for Formula 1.

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The Aston Martin links have been in the air since Ferrari announced they were “letting go” of Vettel. In other words, they don’t want Vettel in their car anymore so they’ll forcefully show him the door. Usual Ferrari things.

Now, it seemed that the driver partnership for the new Aston Martin works team was pretty nailed on with Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll. However, like most things in Formula 1, that has been thrown onto its head.

For Aston Martin, signing Vettel for their first season in the sport as a works team would be a statement, a statement of intent that they’re not looking to sit within the midfield. Why else would you sign a four-time world champion?

New teams usually want to spend the first year or two embedding their feet into the concrete that is Formula 1. By doing this, they spend big on the facilities, not as much on the car, and little on the drivers. That should keep them afloat until they find their feet.

But a driver with the experience and caliber of Vettel throws that system out the window. That tells people that they are ready to compete, whether that be business-wise or racing-wise. And of course they’re ready. With Lawrence Stroll at their disposal, why wouldn’t they be?

However, that begs the question: to which current driver do they throw the sack, Perez or Stroll? Whoever gets the chop, it would be a harsh decision. Formula 1 is a harsh playground, and it always has been.

Every season, some driver gets a harsh goodbye and has to try to land back on his feet. Imagine how Damon Hill felt winning the 1996 championship before ultimately getting shown the door.

It is very likely that it would be Perez who is given the goodbye. He has always had a knack when it comes to scoring quiet but good points for his team, and can he compete regularly against the top teams with Aston Martin.

However, Stroll has an advantage in this particular race: his father. Perez is already 10 steps behind in this contest. But, Perez can (almost) counter that move by bringing his multi millions of dollars worth of Mexican sponsors.

So they sack Perez and load Vettel into the team. They lose on guaranteed millions of dollars per year while also spending more on their new driver. Thankfully for them, the cost cap would be on the team’s side for this one. Would Vettel be able to provide them with more points than Perez? Remember, points means prizes and prizes means money. So surely, problem solved.

No, it is never that simple in Formula 1. We should all know that by now.

So let’s flip the equation. Perez retains his seat alongside newcomer Vettel and Lawrence Stroll makes the brave call of dropping his son. Of course, it would not take Lance or his management very long to find a new team. They would make sure a backup team were instantly available if this certain situation were to ever occur.

What if the backup team already had two drivers, you ask? Easy, they would pay one off. Again, a it’s a harsh reality, but it’s Formula 1, a playground for the rich at times.

Perez and Vettel wouldn’t be a shabby partnership. Both are experienced but both would want number one driver status, and these two particular drivers have a history when it comes to fighting for supremacy within a team.

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Ultimately, it is worth taking the risk and making the statement, no matter which current driver takes the chop. Aston Martin’s image instantly looks better with a four-time world champion in its ranks. A good image provides more press opportunities and thus more sponsors and business opportunities. And with Formula 1 being a business, that is the perfect equation for any team.

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Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel would be Aston Martin’s statement to F1

By Stanley Jones | Jul 17, 2020

As the rumors surrounding Sebastian Vettel’s future in Formula 1 continue to swirl, linking him to Aston Martin seems to be a very popular avenue for the paddock. Let’s look into why Vettel would be Aston Martin’s statement to Formula 1.