Four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin Racing and will join the team at the end of the 2020 season, it has been confirmed.
Racing Point, which will soon be rebranded Aston Martin Racing, announced the signing in a statement on Thursday morning.
READ: Will Sergio Perez Join Red Bull Or Haas In 2021?
It said the signing of Vettel is a “clear statement of the team’s ambition to establish itself as one of the most competitive names in the sport.”
Continuing, they said, “As a four-time World Champion, Sebastian brings a fresh mindset to the team.
“He is one of the most accomplished and respected drivers in world motorsport and knows what it takes to win at the highest level.”
He will partner young Canadian driver Lance Stroll, whose father heads up the consortium of investors which own the team.
Commenting on the move, Sebastian Vettel said he was pleased to finally be able to share this “exciting news” about his future and said he is “extremely proud” to be joining the team.
“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,” he said.
“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,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Otmar Szafnauer, Racing Point’s CEO & team principal, said every member of the team is “hugely excited by this news” and described Vettel as one of the best racing drivers in the world.
“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 now has just a handful of races left with the ailing Ferrari team and will be hoping his new team’s overall package is still superior to that of Ferrari’s come 2021.
The addition of the German to the team has left Sergio Perez without a seat.
But, he still has many options for 2021, as Formula1News.co.uk managing editor Suliman Mulhem explored in this article.
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