Toto Wolff believes Sebastian Vettel will play an important role in the growth of Aston Martin Racing after the German was confirmed to join the soon-to-be-renamed BWT Racing Point Formula One Team for 2021 and beyond.
Vettel’s future in Formula 1 had been in doubt following the decision by Scuderia Ferrari to not offer the German an extension to his contract this year, with the seat alongside Charles Leclerc going to Spaniard and current McLaren F1 Team racer Carlos Sainz Jr.
Wolff, the Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport and team principal of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, recently invested in shares with Aston Martin, so it was pleasing for him on many levels to see Vettel remain in Formula 1 beyond 2020.
And he sees Vettel as an important cog in the system for Aston Martin, particularly if they want to take that next jump forward and become a genuine contender for podiums and race victories.
Wolff also feels Vettel will be an excellent leader in the team and play an important role in the continued development of team-mate Lance Stroll, who continues to show signs of improvement despite still being only twenty-one years of age.
“I have shares in Aston Martin, so from that perspective it’s great,” Wolff said to Sky F1. “The German market is the second most important market.
“I think it’s great for F1 that Seb stays, he’s the second most successful driver of this decade, and it’s important for F1 that somebody like Sebastian who’s in his prime years doesn’t leave F1.
“From the other perspective he’s going to bring a tremendous amount of knowledge to Aston Martin, with Lance [Stroll], who is really improving, and is on a super level now.
“The knowledge that Sebastian is bringing, everybody progresses on a high tide, and I think that’s going to be his contribution.”
