via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Racing Point’s Lance Stroll during practice Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Racing Point’s Lance Stroll during practice Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon
As Aston Martin return to the sport after six decades, they’ll be hoping for a lot more success than they had in 1959 and 1960. There are a few good reasons for the team and its fans to be optimistic. They have signed a four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel, and more importantly, have arguably what seems to be the third best car on the grid.
Nevertheless, that by itself doesn’t guarantee success or titles which is the aim of the team going ahead. Team owner Lawrence Stroll, being the realist he is, gave an honest idea of what he expects from his team in the coming seasons.
He said, “Do I think we can beat Mercedes? Certainly not next year. We’re all very big realists. You know, with the new rule changes in 2022, we don’t know what they will mean exactly. The intent is to bring the field closer; will it succeed?
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via Getty
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Owner of Racing Point Lawrence Stroll and Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Racing Point walks in the Paddock before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
“If it succeeds, I think we can give anybody – not only Mercedes, [but] it could be Red Bull, could be Ferrari – a run for their money.”
The team definitely showed what they were capable of last year. Under the name of Racing Point, they ended the season with 195 points and four podiums, including a race win. This was a massive jump in performance, considering they had finished the 2019 campaign with just 73 points.
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What is Aston Martin F1’s aim for the 2021 season?
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Sakhir Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Racing Point’s Sergio Perez celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second placed Renault’s Esteban Ocon and third placed Lance Stroll Pool via REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Stroll said, “I think the first step towards winning next year will be regularly being on the podium, winning a few races – as we saw, we were capable of doing this – then constantly knocking on the door of second.”
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Consistency will be key for the Silverstone-based outfit. With Ferrari expected to be stronger this year, the mid-field battle is only expected to heat up further. Aston Martin need both their drivers firing on all cylinders and will need luck to be on their side. The latter wasn’t always in their favor in 2020.
It’s certainly exciting times ahead for the team and its fans. Can they deliver what is expected of them? Will they build on from where they left off last year? Or will the team disappoint? We’ll find out soon.
