Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel confirmed at Aston Martin for 2021

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is officially set to move to Aston Martin to replace Sergio Perez ahead of the 2021 season.

After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed: four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is set to replace Sergio Perez at Racing Point, the team set to be rebranded as Aston Martin starting next year, ahead of the 2021 season alongside Lance Stroll.

This confirmation comes just one day after Perez announced that he would not be returning to the team for what would have been an eighth season next year, despite having signed a three-year contract extension back in August of 2019.

After the 30-year-old Mexican made his announcement, the confirmation of Vettel was only a matter of time — highlighted in part by the elbow bump shared by Vettel and team owner Lawrence Stroll in the paddock at Silverstone Circuit early last month when these rumors were already heating up.

Here is what Vettel, who is currently in his sixth and final season driving for Ferrari, had to say about the matter, according to Formula 1.

"“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.”"

Here is what team principal Otmar Szafnauer had to add.

"“Everybody 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.“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.”"

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The 33-year-old German ranks third on Formula 1’s all-time wins list with 53 victories and is one of five drivers to win at least four world championships. He won all four titles from 2010 to 2013 competing for Red Bull Racing and left for Ferrari after the 2014 season.

Before the 2020 season began, Ferrari confirmed that they would not be renewing his deal for next year and would instead be replacing him with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr.  on a multi-year deal. They had already signed Charles Leclerc to a multi-year extension over the offseason.

Vettel’s most recent victory came last September when he won the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit. Through the first eight races of what has been a disappointing season for himself and Ferrari as a whole, he sits in 13th place in the driver standings without a top five finish.

Racing Point, meanwhile, are having a fantastic year, sitting in fourth place in the constructor standings. Stroll sits in a fourth place tie in the driver standings and Perez, despite the fact that he missed two races after contracting COVID-19, sits in 11th with six top 10 finishes in six starts.