Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack does not need an answer right away from Sebastian Vettel as to the possible extension of his contract beyond this year.
Krack has previously made no secret of the fact that he is keen to retain the German, who joined the British side last year having left Ferrari after six years with the Scuderia.
Vettel won 14 races with Ferrari between 2015 and 2020 after taking 48 victories with Red Bull, claiming four world titles between 2010 and 2013.
The now 34-year-old claimed his maiden victory during the wet weekend in Monza for Toro Rosso in 2008, and his perennial class and excellence throughout his career has made him one of the legends of F1.
READ: Aston Martin boss has good news for Vettel fans ahead of British GP
Vettel scored points on seven occasions in his first season as the Silverstone-based team slumped to seventh in the Constructors’ Standings having finished fourth as Racing Point the year previous.
The four-time champion suggested before the start of this season that his future with the team hinges on their success, but they have struggled to find any real form under the new technical regulations.
Between them, Vettel and team-mate Lance Stroll have managed six points finishes this year, and their best result came via a P6 through the former Ferrari driver in Baku.
The experience, expertise and excellence of the 53-time race winner is something Krack wants to keep around but, as Aston Martin endeavour to improve their inconsistent form this season it is not necessarily the highest on the list of their priorities right now.
“We haven’t started concrete talks with Sebastian yet because we currently have so many other problems to solve,” he told Bild.
The German understands that it serves no purpose “conducting contract talks based on hope,” and that, when they ascertain the performance of the AMR22 after they introduce their next batch of upgrades, and this will establish “facts so that we can then talk.”
The 50-year-old reiterated that a new deal is there for Vettel if he wants it.
“For us, a contract extension with Sebastian is clearly plan A. If he wants it, he will also drive at Aston Martin in 2023,” explained Krack.
Krack praised the positivity and professionalism of his driver, who made his debut at the United States Grand Prix with Sauber in 2007, scoring a point.
READ: Red Bull told to sign Vettel as Verstappen’s team-mate
“His attitude and way of working are exemplary,” he stated.
“He is at the track early, concentrates on the task at hand and goes through all the data with the engineers. He gets everything out of it.”
Krack emphasises his acknowledgement of the fact that the team need to build a car good enough for Vettel to stick around, but maintains that there is no pressure to sign a new contract just yet.
“It’s clearly up to us and the car, it remains our task to improve the car so that he can compete for victories,” he divulged.
“But there is no deadline from our side.”
Aston Martin will contest the British Grand Prix this weekend at Silverstone, a stone’s throw away from their base.