Aston Martin F1’s Upgrades a ‘Step Forward’: Vettel

Aston Martin have looked out of sorts in the first three races of the season. Given that they’ve just earned five points in three races, the team need to deliver in the ongoing Spanish Grand Prix. There may be some light at the end of the tunnel though, as Sebastian Vettel believes they have improved the car with their new upgrade packages.

Before the start of the season, the British outfit were tipped to be the biggest threat in the midfield battle. However, they have failed to live up to the hype and are struggling to trouble their competitors, McLaren, Alpine, and Ferrari.

Sebastian Vettel: Felt a lot more at home

At the Portuguese Grand Prix, the team brought only one aero upgrade package, which was put on Lance Stroll’s car. However, Vettel has received the upgrade package in time for the Spanish Grand Prix. He will look to improve on his P13 finish in Portimao and believes that the new upgrade will help him do so.

Vettel said, “Obviously it’s different track different conditions, but I think generally felt a lot more at home. It seemed to improve. I think it’s a step forward. So it’s good to tick that off.”

The ‘homely’ feeling seems to have helped him this weekend, with the German finishing within 0.8s of Lewis Hamilton in FP2.

We’ll try and improve from where we are now: Vettel

Finding themselves 48 points behind McLaren, Aston Martin need to score big points in Barcelona to rejoin the midfield battle. While the upgrades may help the team, Vettel stressed the competition that exists in the midfield currently is quite tough.

“Now we’ll try and improve the package [from] where we are now. The midfield is very tight, so everything we can find will work in our favour.”

Although Vettel finished P8 and P11 in FP1 and FP2 at the ongoing Spanish Grand Prix, his pace was not too far off the drivers that finished above him. He also finished above his teammate Lance Stroll, who is the only driver to score points for the team so far.

Can the four-time world champion carry forward this momentum and finally bag his first points of the season in Barcelona? Only time will tell.