Aston Martin could name "a thousand things" that Vettel has improved

Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has revealed the "thousand things" the team could name that Sebastian Vettel has changed since arriving.

Vettel was signed after leaving Ferrari and has taken one podium for the Silverstone-based team whilst the German was disqualified after finishing second at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion was drafted in to help build the team up in conjunction with the injection of resources from team owner Lawrence Stroll with the aim of joining the title fight later in the decade.

Asked by GPFans Global what Vettel's contributions had been in the first half of the season, Szafnauer replied: "Little details, so little, little things everywhere, so you can name a thousand things.

"The steering wheel that we've had the same way for many, many years, he comes in and says 'It'd be a little bit better if this button was here, my hands are smaller ergonomically'. That's one example.

"Driveability in the powertrain - 'Where I came from, when I pressed the right pedal, it used to do this. You guys should work on doing this. It's better. It's quicker,' another example.

"What else? Detailed feedback within the lap. Loads and loads of little things that all add up to all of us working a little better and a little bit smarter."

Vettel's acquisition meant Sergio Perez, who had been with the team for seven years, lost his seat before being picked up by Red Bull.

On whether the appointment of Vettel was correct in hindsight, Szafnauer explained the decision was one where one party would benefit and one would be left worse off.

"Both are great guys. I like them both personally," he added.

"I think the fact that we had to change was good for us and probably also good for Checo. I think that was a Pareto-optimal decision."

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