Vettel and Aston Martin eye championship push at "electric" COTA

Ewan Gale
Wednesday 19 October 2022 14:43

Sebastian Vettel is hopeful Aston Martin can continue its recent form into the United States Grand Prix as he arrives at another landmark race in his F1 farewell tour.

The four-time champion returns to the country that hosted his debut in the sport in 2007, where Vettel stood in at BMW Sauber for Robert Kubica after the Pole's horrific incident at the preceding Canadian Grand Prix.

Despite a difficult season for Aston Martin, fortunes have turned in the past two races with 12 points collected in Singapore and Japan for Vettel and team-mate Lance Stroll also scoring.

On the return to the Circuit of the Americas, Vettel is confident in the Silverstone-based team's ability to push through the final four races in its current form.

“I made my Formula 1 debut at the US Grand Prix, at Indianapolis, 15 years ago," said Vettel.

"It is always a great feeling to return, especially to such an exciting track, with lots of really challenging sectors.

"As ever, it is tough to predict exactly where we will be in the midfield battle, but recent races have shown we can regularly challenge for points positions, so I feel confident.

"We want to carry our positive momentum all the way to the end of the season.”

Aston Martin eye battle for sixth

Stroll's ability to score in difficult conditions in Singapore has helped Aston Martin's push in the constructors' championship.

With six points finishes in the last seven races, the team now sits only seven points adrift of Alfa Romeo in the battle for sixth and Canadian Stroll has set sights on the Hinwil-based outfit.

“Austin Is an incredible city that has an electric atmosphere throughout the F1 weekend, I am really excited to get lapping at Circuit of the Americas," added Stroll.

"We have shown great pace in recent races and I believe we will here as well.

"Additionally, we now find ourselves in a fight for sixth position in the constructors’ championship after a couple of strong team results, so we will be looking to pick up more points and close that gap in the standings.”