“This will be a first reality check”- Toto Wolff on Aston Martin’s rise and having aspirations reflected by hiring Sebastian Vettel.
Aston Martin predecessor Racing Point managed an impressive P4 finish in 2020, and now under the rebranded image with a staunch alliance with Mercedes, the Silverstone based team is set for glory.
It also hired Sebastian Vettel for 2021, and reflecting on these decisions by Aston Martin, Toto Wolff tips it as a new brand elevating the competition in Formula 1.
“When you carry the name of an automobile manufacturer with this great tradition, you have to have aspirations to be at the very front,” said the Austrian, speaking to Speedweek.
“This is also an upgrade for Formula 1 with a great brand. For Sebastian Vettel and his team-mate Lance Stroll, this will be a first reality check.
“It will also be fascinating for me to watch Aston Martin.” Wolff also reportedly has commercial interests in the team and is a close friend to the team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Double-edged attack from Red Bull
While Aston Martin would probably struggle in the midtable battle, Mercedes only have a real threat from Red Bull, and Sergio Perez’s arrival in the Austrian team seems to be a threat to worry.
“That is a very strong combination,” Wolff said, alluding to Red Bull’s solid driver line-up. Red Bull Racing actually had the fastest car at the end of last year, so the team is in the favourites’ circle in 2021, especially in the Constructors’ Championship, with drivers of this calibre.”
“I see Red Bull Racing as a double challenge, so in both World Championship categories, drivers and teams,” he added.
Ferrari will be improved.
Furthermore, Wolff backs Ferrari being an actual threat in 2021 and is also excited to see how Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc’s duo will fare out.
“It will be exciting to see how Carlos Sainz does against Charles Leclerc,” he added. “Ferrari will be stronger than in 2020; the Scuderia simply has to. It also suffered from a weak chassis last year. I assume that those bugs have been ironed out.”
