Sergio Perez has parted ways from Racing Point at the end of this season as the team will be rebranded as Aston Martin Racing from 2021 onwards and in place of Perez will be the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel has been linked with the outfit currently known as Racing Point since Ferrari revealed in May that he would not be retained after the end of this year.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll targeted the four-time champion, who will clearly bring extra attention to the team from the very start under its new manufacturer-backed identity.
With Lance Stroll staying on that meant there was no seat for Sergio Perez, who is currently in his seventh season with the Silverstone team. On Wednesday evening the Mexican confirmed his departure by issuing a press release.
The signing of Vettel is another indication of how serious Lawrence Stroll is about building up the Aston Martin team. A new factory, adjacent to the current facility, is in the planning stages.
“I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future,” said Vettel. “I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021.
“It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter.
“The energy and commitment of Lawrence to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together. I still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.”
Team boss Otmar Szafnauer said: “Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news. Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.
“On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.”
So goodbye Perez and hello Vettel. It’s a shame that long serving member Sergio has to leave after racing with the Silverstone-based outfit since the Force India period. He actually signed a multi-year contract extension just last year to continue racing with the team. But Lawrence has changed that thanks to the Aston Martin connection and getting Vettel’s signature.
Best of luck to both drivers in their path to success in Formula 1. Is Perez off to join Haas or Alfa Romeo? Can Vettel regain his confidence and enthusiasm following a difficult few races at Ferrari this year? Only time will tell.
Official press statement:
https://www.racingpointf1.com/news/announcement-sergio-perez-to-leave-the-team-at-the-end-of-2020-bwt-racing-point-f1-team
https://www.racingpointf1.com/news/announcement-sebastian-vettel-signs-up-for-2021-and-beyond-bwt-racing-point-f1-team
Social media:
https://twitter.com/RacingPointF1/status/1303773499966840832
https://twitter.com/SChecoPerez/status/1303760511239151618
https://twitter.com/RacingPointF1/status/1303952148875673600
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1303953230360186880
News stories:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/54095848
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/54098516
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12067611/sergio-perez-announces-racing-point-exit-at-end-of-2020-f1-season
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12067801/sebastian-vettel-joining-aston-martin-for-f1-2021-replacing-sergio-perez
https://www.racefans.net/2020/09/09/perez-announces-he-is-leaving-racing-point/
https://www.racefans.net/2020/09/10/official-vettel-to-replace-perez-at-aston-martins-f1-team-for-2021/
https://www.racefans.net/2020/09/10/will-vettel-justify-aston-martins-faith-in-their-statement-of-intent-signing/
Sergio Perez reveals he is leaving Racing Point at the end of 2020 in shock announcement. Formula1.com provides the details.
Sergio Perez has revealed he is leaving Racing Point at the end of this season in a shock announcement released on Wednesday evening.
The Mexican driver said the 2020 season would be his last with the Silverstone-based squad, despite the fact he signed a three-year contract just last year.
He added that he has no “Plan B” in terms of a drive for 2021, and that the move “hurts a bit as I bet on the team during very rough times” – referring to the period in 2018 when the team went into administration, before being bought out by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll.
In a statement he said: “Everything in life always has a beginning and an end, and after seven years together, my time with the team will come to an end after this season.
“It hurts a bit as I bet on the team during very rough times; we managed to overcome obstacles and I am very proud of saving the jobs of several of my team mates.”
There has been widespread speculation that Racing Point are courting Sebastian Vettel – who is leaving Ferrari at the end of the year – and that they want the four-time World Champion to join the team when it is rebranded as Aston Martin next year.
And with Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence, also driving for the team, it looked likely that if Vettel did join, Perez could be the one to make way. Just after Perez made his announcement, the team confirmed he would be leaving once the current season is over.
Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer said: “Checo has been part of the Silverstone family for seven years and in that time has become one of the most complete drivers on the grid. Blisteringly quick on Saturday and Sunday, he’s established his reputation as a tenacious racer and together we have enjoyed some fantastic moments.
“If there was ever a sniff of a podium, Checo was ready to pounce, and those five podiums represent some of the finest days in the history of this team.
“Outside of the car, Checo is a true character and a good friend, and it’s been a pleasure working with him for such a long time. Although we will say goodbye at the end of the year, there are still nine races to go and plenty of opportunities for Checo to make some more special memories with this team.”
Perez, who was forced to sit out two races this year after testing positive for Covid-19, joined the team in 2014 after one season with McLaren.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by Vijay Mallya, who believed in me and allowed me to continue my F1 career with Force India,” he said.
“I don’t have a plan B. My intention is to continue racing here, but that would depend on finding a project that motivates me to continue giving my 100 per cent in each lap.”
Vettel to make sensational Racing Point switch in 2021 as they re-brand as Aston Martin. Formula1.com has the news story.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will remain in Formula 1 beyond this season after putting pen to paper with Racing Point, who will rebrand as Aston Martin F1 Team from 2021.
Racing Point say the 33-year-old’s deal, which is for ‘2021 and beyond’, “is a clear statement of the team’s ambition to establish itself as one of the most competitive names in the sport.”
“I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future,” said the German. “I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter.
“The energy and commitment of Lawrence [Stroll] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together. I still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.”
The German had been in discussions with billionaire Lawrence Stroll’s team for several months, following Ferrari’s decision to let him go at the end of the year, with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz taking his place alongside Charles Leclerc next year.
Initially, there didn’t appear to be a place for Vettel, given Sergio Perez had a multi-year deal which ran until the end of 2022 while Stroll’s son Lance is in the other seat.
But on Wednesday evening, on the eve of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello – Ferrari’s 1000th race – Perez shocked the F1 world by revealing he will leave the team at the end of the year and has no “Plan B” in terms of a drive.
That paved the way for Racing Point to announce Vettel – who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 – would be joining them, alongside Stroll, for their first season under the Aston Martin brand.
“Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news,” said Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. “Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.
“On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.”
Vettel is currently 13th in the drivers’ championship, with just 16 points and a best finish of sixth in eight races this year as he has struggled for pace in what has been an uncompetitive Ferrari.