Sebastian Vettel's unsung impact on Aston Martin's racing resurgence

Choosing to part ways with Ferrari after six seasons, Vettel embarked on a new journey with Aston Martin for the 2021 campaign, a decision that significantly impacted the team's trajectory.

While Aston Martin predominantly operated in the midfield during Vettel's tenure, a notable highlight came at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Vettel clinched a podium finish. In his final season with the Silverstone-based outfit before retirement, the team secured a commendable seventh place in the Constructors' Championship.

Vettel's departure created an opportunity for the arrival of two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso in the recent season. Aston Martin witnessed a formidable upswing early on, with Alonso securing six podiums in the first eight races. Although the team's pace waned in the latter part of the season, it concluded the campaign in a respectable fifth place, adding two more podiums to its tally.

McCullough, shedding light on Vettel's impact, stated, "When he joined us, he came from two championship-winning teams. At that time, he brought a wealth of small details. He was a relentless worker as well."

In emphasizing the pivotal role of drivers as the ultimate car sensors, McCullough elaborated, "A driver whose backside is connected to the car can say, 'This is the phase of these kinds of corners that I know we're struggling more than others.' This allows you to delve into the data."

Despite sympathy for Vettel, who missed out on piloting the more competitive AMR23, McCullough noted this as a recurring theme in F1 history. He recounted a similar scenario during his time at Williams with Rubens Barrichello, where the Brazilian driver's input significantly contributed to the success of the 2012 car, despite not racing it himself.

"I felt for him that he's not really got any of the benefits of this year's car," McCullough expressed. "Over the years that often happens. I've been involved with that process myself in the past."

Vettel's two-year stint with Aston Martin, though not crowned with championships, played a pivotal role in the team's development. His meticulous feedback and relentless work ethic contributed to the groundwork for Aston Martin's resurgence, proving that a driver's impact goes beyond the statistics on the track.

 

Read More: Aston Martin's bittersweet F1 season: Fernando Alonso reflects on 'dream year' (planetsport.com)