Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel is set to make his debut with the Aston Martin F1 Team in just a few weeks’ time in Bahrain, and the German is clearly excited by his new adventure in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Speaking just a few days before pre-season testing, Vettel said he is looking forward to driving a Mercedes-powered car for the first time in his F1 career.
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“The Mercedes unit is supposedly the strongest on the grid and it will be my first time with Mercedes in Formula 1,” Vettel said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they work. We [Aston Martin] are obviously not in charge of the engine and its development and we can benefit from such strong partners, so we can get on with the car and only worry about that.
“I think we have lots of stuff to do on that front,” he added.
Ferrari, the team Vettel was driving for last year, had the weakest power unit in Formula One last season and all Ferrari-powered cars struggled for straight-line speed as a result.
In the same interview, Vettel was asked if he is concerned that Aston Martin might be hindered by being a Mercedes customer team.
“I’m not worried about that,” he replied.
“I think your fears are old school. The world has moved on. In the past, probably you were right. In some cases it may still be present, in other cases a long time ago.
“With somebody like Mercedes, I think we can trust that you get a very fair treatment and if you are faster you will be allowed to beat them.
“I think this sort of mindset [of thinking there is a disadvantage] is way out of date as a principle. I see where you’re coming from, but I’m not worried.
“I think if we are very close to Mercedes that’s a very good achievement, so that will be the last thing I’ll worry about.”
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