‘Excitement’ kept Vettel at Aston Martin for 2022

Sebastian Vettel insists he is still excited by the prospect of racing in Formula 1, which made it an easy decision to extend his spell with Aston Martin.

The four-time former World Champion’s future had been the subject of slight doubt until Aston Martin confirmed he would be staying with them for a second season in 2022.

There had even been rumours that Vettel was poised to announce his retirement at the last race, in Italy, but they proved to be completely unfounded.

Instead, the option of another year has been taken up at Aston Martin and so the 34-year-old will continue to partner Lance Stroll when the sport’s new regulations kick in.

Asked in his press conference on the eve of the Russian Grand Prix weekend whether there had been any doubt over whether he would continue racing, Vettel told reporters: “Not really.

“I think in the end the excitement for next year, new cars, new regulations and I think where the team is going, everything looks very promising. It’s great to be a part of that. I think the team is great, I like the guys.

“It does [excite me], otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I think the vision and the commitment the team has…the vision is impressive and the commitment is very high.

“It’s been a great season, maybe not in terms of results but in terms of working. Morale is high, so a lot of things that excite me.”

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Team chats and track walks.

That's Thursday done right. 💚 pic.twitter.com/ocfp5jw6t5

— Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 23, 2021

Regarding those results, Vettel would have had two second-place finishes had he not been disqualified from the Hungarian Grand Prix when insufficient of a fuel sample could be taken from his car after the race.

Nevertheless, Aston Martin believe they are taking all the right steps to become World Championship challengers within the next few years – although whether Vettel himself will still be around when they reach that level remains to be seen, next year being his 15th full campaign.

“I think a four or five-year horizon is fair, in terms of looking back to other teams, how long it took other teams to climb to the top,” said the German.

“So it might be less but, you never know, it might be longer. But I feel where the team is going sets a very promising direction.

“And I feel it will happen. Time will tell – I’m not getting younger.”

Planet F1 verdict

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