Opinions are mixed on Sebastian Vettel’s move to Aston Martin, with former team owner Eddie Jordan calling it a “mistake”.
This week, Formula 1 got its first look at the German with his new team, formerly known as Racing Point, as he completed a seat fitting at their Silverstone factory.
But once the action on the track begins, Jordan, who of course founded the original team that now operates as Aston Martin, questions whether Vettel is still up to the task of competing near the front in F1.
“I like him a lot, but I think Aston Martin made a mistake to sign him,” he told F1-Insider recently.
“The last two years against [Charles] Leclerc at Ferrari have been pathetic. I don’t know why he looked so bad, he won four world titles. But I think he is over his peak. In any case, I would have kept [Sergio] Perez.”
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Perhaps backing up the Irishman’s point is the fact Perez was scooped up by Red Bull for 2021. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who is a close friend of Vettel, believes going to Aston can reinvigorate the 33-year-old.
“Sebastian needed one thing above all, and that was a change of scenery,” he told German broadcaster RTL.
“When you get more and more into a negative spiral you have to bring a change. That’s what he did. He is now in a completely different environment.
“I don’t think he didn’t deliver [at Ferrari]; it was the general conditions that got worse and worse or the teamwork that was disrupted. I expect a lot from Sebastian this year and I hope he gets off to a good start.
“The chapter of Aston Martin as a factory team is just starting and Sebastian Vettel is one of the strong pillars in this project.”
And that sentiment was backed up by Aston team boss Otmar Szafnauer.
“It’s hugely exciting for everyone in the team,” he told Crash.net.
“In Sebastian, we have a proven four-time world champion with experience of helping teams become race-winning and championship-contending outfits.
“That’s why he is such an important signing for us. He brings a winning mentality and we will all undoubtedly learn a lot from him on this journey.
“In Lance [Stroll], we have a young and talented, hard-working driver who enjoyed his best campaign to date last year and really made strides in all areas of his racing.
“We know if we give him the tools, he’s more than capable of helping the team reach its goals.
“We also think Sebastian will bring out the best in Lance, with Lance pushing Sebastian hard in return, so we’re delighted with our 2021 line-up. It’s the ideal blend of experience, race-winning knowhow, and raw talent.”