Vettel still "a machine" despite looming F1 retirement

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has described Sebastian Vettel as "a machine" and the "ultimate professional" whilst also dispelling suggestions of a change in attitude from the retiring four-time F1 champion.

Prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Vettel announced he would leave the sport at the end of this year, bringing an end to a career that started with a substitute appearance for BMW Sauber at the 2007 United States GP.

The German, who joined Aston Martin as the team entered a new era in its updated guise, has helped steer the outfit in a new direction during its upscaling, work that should stand the Silverstone-based squad in good stead for the future.

But asked if there had been a noticeable attitude change from Vettel, McCullough replied: "He is the ultimate professional really, so I would say no to that.

"Maybe he is a bit more relaxed in himself but I wouldn't see that in the engineering office or the way he drives the car.

"Sebastian is a bit of a machine from the work side of things."

Vettel "an utter pleasure" to work with

Vettel's experienced hand will be taken over by the incoming Fernando Alonso when the two-time champion makes the switch from Alpine at the end of the season.

Addressing Vettel's time with the team, however, McCullough explained: "Sebastian has been great fun to work with for the last 18 months or so, very thoughtful, very strong on the engineering side.

"He has brought a lot to the team in how we operate and how we look at things.

"A very inquisitive mind, great fun to be with but he also understands how to lift the team from a morale side of things really well.

"It has been an utter pleasure and I'm looking forward to the final races with him."

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