Aston Martin aim for swifter Vettel negotiations in 2022

Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer is hoping to secure Sebastian Vettel's F1 future at the team earlier in the season next year.

Vettel was only confirmed as remaining with Aston Martin for 2022 between the Italian and Russian Grands Prix despite seemingly agreeing to a multi-year contract when joining from Ferrari over the winter.

The German is seen as an integral part of the building process at the Silverstone-based team as it transforms itself from Racing Point that punched above its weight into an F1 powerhouse.

With clauses in four-time champion Vettel's contract leading to longer-than-perhaps-expected negotiations, Szafnauer is looking to conclude discussions more swiftly next term.

Asked if the process will be more straightforward in 2022, Szafnauer replied: "I haven't even considered it. We've just got through this but good question, let me ponder over that over Christmas.

"We usually don't disclose, out of respect for Seb, the details of his contract and the things we negotiated.

"We like Seb, he likes us, and let's see what happens. Like I said, even over Christmas we could contemplate that stuff.

"Let's have a good year in 2022 and then decide."

On whether it would be beneficial to sign Vettel earlier in the season, Szafnauer added: "We'll do that earlier next year. It will help you guys, too. Less questions."

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