Aston Martin not seeking headline driver for 2021

  • Published on 05 Jun 2020 11:32
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer says the team's primary focus for 2021 is on the transition to Aston Martin rather than bringing in a headline driver.

Sebastian Vettel, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 campaign, has been linked with a move to the Silverstone-based squad, who has Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll under contract this year.

Last year, Perez signed a multi-year deal with the team while Stroll is the son of team owner Lawrence, who saved the team from administration in 2018.


MOREPerez, Gasly sign up for Virtual GP round at Baku

MORESeidl: McLaren has no intention of protesting Racing Point's RP20


Speaking about the team's line-up for next year, Szafnauer says the “headline” for the outfit will Aston Martin's entry as a constructor rather than who fills the seats.

“It’s certainly been an interesting few weeks in the driver market, with some headline-grabbing moves out there,” he said

“I’m sure it’s kept the fans entertained and the media busy – but from our perspective, the headline for next season is the name above the factory doors rather than the names in the cockpit.”

New calendar 'intense' but 'manageable' - Szafnauer

F1 racing will return next month in Austria at the Red Bull Ring, which will be followed one week later by the Styrian Grand Prix at the same location.

The revised calendar that has been produced after a lengthy lockdown period caused by the coronavirus will see the opening eight races of the year take place over the course of 10 weeks.

Szafnauer acknowledges that the schedule will be “intense” for all involved, but is assured that it is a manageable plan.

“It’s going to be an intense few months for us all,” he said. “But a great deal of thought has gone into this calendar from all relevant stakeholders – including the teams, Formula 1, the FIA, the circuit owners and so on.

“We’re all in agreement that the proposed plan is manageable and, knowing what I know of our team, they’ll relish the challenge. At the end of the day, we’re all racers. This is our passion and we’re excited to get back to it.”

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Seems wise, I just don't think they could afford one. They should consider someone like Hulk instead.

    • + 0
    • Jun 5 2020 - 22:25
    • I'm expecting big things from these team. Whatever it ends up being called. I don't think there is a scrappier group of engineers and managers out there. No other team has been more efficient getting points for every dollar invested in the team.

      Sergio Pérez can be an adequate head driver. He's been incredibly loyal to Force India/Racing Point. I'm looking forward to see that loyalty rewarded with a car that can fight for podiums.

      • + 0
      • Jun 7 2020 - 04:43
  • Makes a lot of sense to limit the number of changes at any one time - but if you consider this is a branding piece to support the car company - makes me feel a marquee name is hard to ignore, especially at the launch.....

    • + 0
    • Jun 6 2020 - 09:15

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (36)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar