When Aston Martin signed Sebastian Vettel last season, they must have been overjoyed. Initially, they wanted to start the 2021 F1 season with a huge brand name and a competitive car. And then, to bring the cherry to the top, signing a four-time world champion was a huge coup for then. But so far this season it hasn’t clicked for her.
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What is the reason for the boring form of the driver? Of course, we all know about the regulation change that is affecting their low-rake car. And yes, Vettel himself wasn’t at the top of his game. For team boss Otmar Szafnauer, however, the core problem lies in the limited testing before the season.
“My biggest regret is that we weren’t as reliable as we should have been in winter. Had we had more tests, he would probably be in a different place on the learning curve, ”said Szafnauer.
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Formula 1 F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 16, 2021 Otston Szafnauer, Team Principal and Managing Director of Aston Martin, during the FIA / Handout press conference on REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE HAS BEEN DELIVERED FROM A THIRD. NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES
The Bahrain test event couldn’t have done anything wrong for them. Vettel faced a number of mechanical and technical problems that limited him to just over 100 laps, few of the other drivers on the grid. The FIA’s decision to shorten the running days from six to three didn’t help their cause either.
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Aston Martin are looking to improve AMR21’s 1-lap pace to help Vettel
But now it’s important for them to look ahead instead of thinking about the past. Like the Mercedes W12, the car also suffers the most in qualifying. So Szafnauer is striving for major improvements in this area –
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“I think we have to look very carefully on one lap because the race pace seems to be a bit better. Although the conditions in Imola were difficult with the wet and drying surface. “
Formula 1 F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin in action during practice REUTERS / Guglielmo Mangiapane
Your racing pace isn’t bad, however. Lance Stroll finished eighth and Vettel made some profits on Sunday before retiring due to a transmission problem.
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And in Imola they assessed the upgrades they want to equip their cars with in Portimao. Fortunately, the drivers reported positive feedback, which will be music to Szafnauer’s ears: “We’re working hard to move forward.” Let’s hope that Vettel can turn it around next weekend.
The post Aston Martin F1 team boss calls “greatest regret” amid Vettel’s poor form first appeared on monter-une-startup.
