Vettel will "raise the team to a different level" says Szafnauer

Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer believes Sebastian Vettel will be able to propel the re-branded Aston Martin team to the top of the sport.

Vettel was announced as Sergio Perez's replacement for 2021 ahead of the Tuscan Grand Prix and Szafnaurer believes the German has the credentials to take the team to the top.

The Racing Point boss said: "Ultimately, with Aston Martin returning to the sport, I think it's the right decision to get the experience that Seb brings with him – the experience of driving and working for a top team. That's what Aston Martin aspires to be.”

He added: “He will raise the team to a different level.

"I'm sure it will be 1000 little things that he will help us improve that can then take us to a new level.‍ I think he'll bring with him a World Champion work ethic and that's what we all want to learn from.

"Everyone's going to have to raise their game and he will be a great mentor for Lance too. He's still relatively young and very fast, and it’s great for Lance to learn from a four-time World Champion.”

Although delighted to have Vettel onboard, Szafnauer conceded it was not an easy decision to let go of Sergio Perez.

“It wasn't an easy call to make, because Checo has served us well," he explained.

"He's a great racer, a quick driver and is a safe pair of hands on a Sunday. I think it’s a compliment to Checo that we had to deliberate so long on whether to take a four-time World Champion with all the experience that Seb brings or stay with Checo."

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