Perez replacement Vettel responds to Brawn “big shoes” warning

Sebastian Vettel is adamant he has nothing to worry about in replacing Sergio Perez next year despite Ross Brawn warning the four-time Formula 1 champion he has “big shoes to fill".

Racing Point confirmed in September that Vettel will join the team when it becomes Aston Martin next year, but while the Ferrari driver has failed to get to grips with his car this season, Perez has enjoyed his best campaign ever.

The Mexican's recent form, and his first win in Bahrain last weekend, led Brawn to question the logic of replacing him, but Vettel quipped he will be perfectly comfortable in his rival’s shoes.

“I would be more worried to take George’s shoes to fill,” he joked, referring to British driver George Russell’s struggles to squeeze into the Mercedes cockpit with his large-sized feet when replacing Lewis Hamilton last weekend.

“George’s shoe size is 45, I learned the other day. Checo [Perez] is the same size as me so I am not worried at all and I think we have the same shoe size.

“On a serious note, I am looking forward to joining the team, I think there is plenty of reasons I am looking forward. I’m happy to help. I am seeing it as a chance, rather than putting pressure on it from the start.”

By virtue of Perez's victory and team-mate Lance Stroll's third place last time out, Racing Point returned to third in the constructors' standing, a position it will be under pressure to keep under its new guise next year.

Confident he will cope with the pressure, Vettel added: “Checo has been with the team for seven years, he knows the place inside out.

“I think it will be difficult to get up to speed straight away, but also it’s not my first year, so I think I have a lot of experience that should help.

“I am happy to contribute as much as I can to help the team grow. I think that’s the exciting thing.”

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