While disappointed to be leaving, Sergio Perez acknowledges Sebastian Vettel made a “great decision” to join Aston Martin next year.
After Ferrari confirmed the German’s departure, Lawrence Stroll owner of the team currently known as Racing Point, swung into action, activating a release clause in Perez’s contract to sign Vettel.
And having struggled to make the same mark on the Scuderia that he did at Red Bull, the Mexican does believe Seb will feel more at home at the Silverstone-based team.
“Seb has definitely taken a great decision,” Perez said via PlanetF1.
“He is coming to a team of pure racers, to a team where he will definitely have a good time and will enjoy it.
“The most important thing is he will have some good fun. I have no doubt that the team will be one of the strongest next year and he will definitely have a fantastic car.”
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After Checo won his first F1 race in Bahrain earlier this month, however, F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn suggested Vettel will have a little pressure in following Perez.
“I actually saw those comments, I thought big shoes to fill for a four-time World Champion is hard to imagine versus a guy who has just won a race but in a way, that is just Formula 1,” the 30-year-old, who is being linked to Red Bull next year, added.
“Titles and victories don’t mean a lot because it is so much down to the level of cars you have in your career.”
Asked about targets for his first year at Aston Martin last weekend, however, Vettel was non-commital
“It’s hard to say,” he told Sky Germany. “Everyone who knows F1, knows that putting goals into words is always dependent on the possibilities of the car and the team.
“Next year Mercedes will be the big favourite again.”
As for what he was looking forward though, he added: “The challenge. The mood. Tackling a new project on both sides, get together and have fun together.”