P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aston Martin enjoyed a relatively competitive season this year as it bagged eight podiums throughout the year. The team has credited the now-retired Sebastian Vettel for part of its success.
According to Aston Martin’s Performance Director Tom McCullough, Sebastian Vettel deserves recognition for his contribution to the team’s resurgent season. Vettel made the decision to leave Ferrari and join Aston Martin for the 2021 campaign. During Vettel’s tenure, Aston Martin mostly competed in the midfield but managed to secure a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In Vettel’s final season before retirement, Aston Martin finished the Constructors’ Championship in seventh place. Vettel’s departure allowed Fernando Alonso, a two-time World Champion, to join the team. Aston Martin made significant progress at the start of the season, with Alonso achieving six podium finishes in the first eight races. Although the team’s performance declined as the season progressed, they finished fifth in the standings and secured two more podiums in the second half of the year. McCullough emphasized Vettel’s impact, stating that he brought valuable insights and worked tirelessly to help with the car’s development. McCullough also expressed sympathy for Vettel, as he didn’t get to drive the more competitive AMR23, highlighting that this is a common occurrence in F1 history.
