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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – 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)
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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – 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)
Aston Martin F1 are back in the sport after a 60-year hiatus. However, behind the name change, the team that impressed many people last year remains the same. In fact, some suggest it could be better. The addition of the 4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel suggests that the team is going for glory and are aiming to win the world title sooner rather than later.
According to team owner Lawrence Stroll, that is Aston Martin’s exact plan. With new technical regulations, such as changes in aerodynamics coming in for 2022, the assumption remains that the series will get a lot more competitive.
With that in mind, Stroll believes a title push in 2022 may be a very realistic option.
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SOCHI, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Owner of Aston Martin Lawrence Stroll and Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal talk in the Paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
Recalling his discussion with the team’s technical director, Stroll said, “I said: ‘We have the new rules coming in for 2022, we are here to win, it’s why I’m here, it’s why we’re all here, but I have the ability to give us the resources we need to win.
“What would we do if anything differently in order to become world champions?’
“And Andy said: ‘My initial answer is I don’t think I would change a whole lot.”
So, the team plans to continue on their current path. This would include being a customer team for Mercedes and buying parts such as the gearbox from the previous year’s Mercedes car.
What’s Aston Martin F1’s plan for 2021?
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Formula One F1. Sakhir Grand Prix. Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain. Racing Point’s Sergio Perez celebrates with his team after winning the race Pool. via REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
The Silverstone-based outfit had a great campaign in 2020. They ended the year with four podiums from 17 races, including a maiden win, courtesy of Sergio Perez at Bahrain.
Going into the next season, spirits are predictably high. On the expectations heading into the new season, Stroll said, “I want to continue where we finished last year, only stronger.
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“We had several podiums, we had a win. I’d like this year to have several more podiums and another win or two – step by step fighting for more and more wins.”
The mid-field battle will yet again be tough this year. However, equipped with a solid car, a good engine, and a four-time world champion driver, Aston Martin will be full of confidence going into the season opener.
