Aston Martin confirm driver line-up for 2022

Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin

Aston Martin confirm driver line-up for 2022

Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll continue

Ian Parkes

Thursday 16 September 2021 10:03 Updated: 10:08

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Aston Martin has confirmed Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll will continue with the F1 team as its driver pairing for the 2022 season.

The decision comes as no surprise as Vettel signed a multi-year deal when he joined at the end of last year, while Stroll is almost fireproof given father Lawrence owns the team.

Slight doubts had surfaced, however, around Vettel due to the delayed nature of the announcement, albeit explained away by team principal Otmar Szafnauer given the option clauses on both sides.

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With his future now assured for next season, Vettel said: "“I am really looking forward to racing the new generation of Formula 1 cars.

"Their look is very different and the new technical regulations should give us cars that can race much more closely than recently.

"More exciting racing will be great for the drivers as well as for the fans. The changes are so big that every team will be starting from a new beginning, so it will be a great opportunity for us at Aston Martin.

"I believe in the strength of our new growing team, so I am already looking forward to 2022.”

Szafnauer is naturally delighted to continue the team's partnership. He said: "Lance is one of the most gifted drivers in modern Formula 1, and to that raw talent he is now adding serious racecraft.

"A four-time world champion, having driven 271 grands prix, of which he has won 53, Sebastian is also a massive asset to our team, and next year we expect both of them to race well in what will be a very different formula from the current one.

"We never under-estimate our opposition, so we do not intend to over-promise, but we know that Lance and Sebastian will get the very best from the tools we will put at their disposal.”

For Stroll, it will be his fourth season with the team after joining in 2019 when it was then known as Racing Point.

Looking ahead to his continuation with Aston Martin, Stroll said: "Next season I will be embarking on my sixth year in Formula 1, alongside my team-mate Sebastian.

"We started this campaign together and I greatly look forward to continuing the journey with him next year.

"We have not achieved what we set out to do this year, but that has only amplified our hunger and drive for success next season.

"Now, with the prestige and support of Aston Martin, and the brilliant new sponsor-partners that such a prestigious brand has attracted, we are well-positioned to improve our performance in 2022.”

Remarking on the unchanged line-up, owner Lawrence Stroll said: "The first season for Aston Martin got off to a disappointing start, owing to the regulatory changes over the winter that disadvantaged the two teams whose cars utilise a low-rake aero philosophy.

"But we have made good progress over the past few months, and both Lance and Sebastian have delivered some excellent performances.

"They have had more than their fair share of bad luck, but in 2022 we are delighted to be continuing with such an excellent blend of youthful talent and experienced expertise.”