Sebastian Vettel will very likely switch from the Formula 1 racing team Ferrari to Racing Point. This is the corollary of a message from the British team on Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. Accordingly, Racing Point is separating from its regular driver Sergio Pérez at the end of this season. “Our cooperation ends after seven years,” said the team in a written message. Pérez and the previous Force India team took fourth place in the constructors’ championship in 2016 and 2017. Racing Point thanked the Mexican for his share in this success and explicitly praised him: “Everyone in the team has noticed over the years that Sergio has developed into one of the most complete drivers,” team boss Otmar Szafnauer is quoted as saying.
Pérez does not have a say in the press release, the timing of which is very unusual. He reported on social media: “It hurts a little. I relied on this team in difficult times. We have overcome many hurdles together. I was able to help save some jobs in the team. I will always be grateful to Vijay Mallya for believing in me in 2014 and giving me a chance at Force India. But I also wish the current leadership around Lawrence Stroll all the best with the new Aston Martin project. ”Since Pérez had a contract that ran until the end of 2022, he will have been severely compensated in return for the termination.
It is important to avoid unrest
In the past few weeks it has been speculated that Vettel could end up at Racing Point after his separation from Ferrari in May. The four-time world champion did not have the opportunity to find a place in one of the top teams. Both Mercedes and Red Bull referred to the occupation of their cockpits and gave the German no chance. The time of the announcement to part ways with Pérez indicates that Racing Point could shortly announce the Heppenheimer as “second” driver next to Lance Stroll, the son of the team co-owner Lawrence Stroll. Formula 1 is driving in Mugello this weekend. Teams and pilots will perform at virtual press conferences on Thursday. Racing Point will want to answer the farewell to Pérez satisfactorily, because otherwise the team would have to fear a restlessness that would disturb the concentration on the race over the whole weekend. The racing teams always try to avoid such sources of error.
Sergio Pérez: Was probably made to walk by the team.
:
Image: dpa
With the change, after starting his career at BMW and Toro Rosso, Vettel is no longer in the racing car of a so-called top team for the first time since 2009. Racing Point has far fewer resources available than Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull. However, the British car is significantly faster than the Ferrari this year, as was demonstrated by Stroll’s third place at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Vettel was eliminated early due to a brake defect.
One of the reasons for the strength of the mid-range team is the Mercedes drive in the rear and the ability to manage less money efficiently, which has been developed over the years. Since the major rule reform has been postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic, racing cars will be driven with hardly any changes in the next season. Racing Point will then compete under the name Aston Martin. The goal of the racing team is to advance beyond the status of a Mercedes customer team into the premier league of Formula 1. Vettel’s experience, his detailed knowledge of the technology, could be of great use to the racing team. That being said, signing a four-time champion will generate attention.
Every morning our editors classify the most important topics of the day. Relevant, current and entertaining.
.
