Former world champion Sebastian Vettel has signed for Racing
Point for the 2021 season “and beyond”, the British Formula One
outfit announced Thursday.
The 33-year-old German won four consecutive titles from 2010
to 2013 with Red Bull before joining Ferrari, but the Italian team has not
renewed his contract.
Signing Vettel was “a clear signal” to the racing
world, said Racing Point, which will take the Aston Martin name next year after
Canadian billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll’s investment in the British brand.
Vettel will drive alongside Stroll’s son Lance and replace
Mexican driver Sergio Perez who announced on Wednesday he will leave Racing
Point at the end of the season.
Vettel has spent six seasons with the Italian team without
repeating his title-winning heroics at Red Bull.
This term has proved particularly difficult with Vettel
sinking to 13th place in the championship ahead of Sunday’s Tuscan Grand Prix
at Mugello in Italy.
Racing Point’s current season has been marred by controversy
with accusations they had copied Mercedes’ brake ducts.
On Sunday, Racing Point dropped their appeal against a
15-point deduction and €400,000 fine.
