Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who heads up the consortium of investors which owns the Aston Martin Racing F1 Team, has said he has “100 percent” confidence in Sebastian Vettel’s talent and dedication as a driver.
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Speaking just a couple of months before Vettel competes in his first grand prix with the newly rebranded team, Stroll acknowledged that the German had a “very challenging” 2020 season but stressed that he believes Vettel hasn’t forgotten how to drive.
“Sebastian had a very challenging year last year. All of us would find it challenging that you lose your job before the season starts,” Stroll said in an interview with the BBC this week.
“That’s mentally very difficult, and you know how mental a game F1 is for drivers.
“He had a car he found tricky to drive that didn’t suit his driving style. We’ve seen that before in his last year at Red Bull [in 2014].
“But he’s a four-time World Champion. I don’t think he forgot how to drive in one year. He has a work ethic that is known as second to none in the paddock in terms of how hard he works.
“One of the ways we are going to become World Champions is to get my guys to think and act like World Champions. And how you do that is to bring a four-time World Champion into the team.
“He will take the team in a direction of leading us to where ultimately we want to be.
“I’m not concerned. I know Sebastian well and I have 100 percent confidence and belief he will do a fantastic job with us.
“He is more motivated than he has ever been,” Stroll concluded.
2020 was arguably Sebastian Vettel’s worst season in Formula One, with him scoring just a single podium and finishing 13th in the Drivers’ Standings after picking up 33 points across 17 grand prix.
He recently said he is very excited to be joining Aston Martin Racing and expressed a lot of confidence in the team’s future in Formula One.
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