Lewis Hamilton says he is “really pleased” Sebastian Vettel will join Mercedes customer team Aston Martin next year.
Racing Point, who will become Aston Martin in 2021, confirmed today Vettel will join them after this season. Vettel’s impending departure from Ferrari was annouced three months ago.“Honestly I thought that was the ideal direction that he was going to go,” said Hamilton. “I thought that it would happen.”
Racing Point was known as Force India until it was acquired by Lawrence Stroll in 2018. Hamilton believes Vettel is joining the team at the right time. “I was really pleased to hear it because that team has new ownership, has already taken a huge step forwards in its performance and it will continue to grow,” he said.
Vettel will replace Sergio Perez, whose three-year deal to drive for the team has been cut short to make way for the multiple world champion.
“Maybe I’m biased, but I believe that experience counts for a huge amount,” said Hamilton of Vettel. “He’s obviously had a difficult time at Ferrari but he’s a four-time champion that can steer that team even further in a better direction in terms of car development.
“I think you should never take that for granted. It’s a great move for the team.”
“Of course I’m sorry for Sergio,” Hamilton added, “but he’s a great driver and I’m sure he’ll have other options.”
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baasbas
10th September 2020, 17:13
I know he’s just answering a question that is asked to him and he truly might be happy for Seb, but I can’t help the feeling it just sounds a bit too condescending coming from him..
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
10th September 2020, 17:16
It sounds like his greatest rival, is off the deck in their B team. Keep your friends close and enemies closer sort of deal.
He need not worry about Vettel ever again
Esploratore (@esploratore)
10th September 2020, 18:19
And would he have to worry about vettel in this year’s ferrari? Or last year’s ferrari even, considering vettel’s driving performance?
James Neutron (@phillyspur)
10th September 2020, 18:45
In what car would he have to worry about Vettel? Based on recent form I haven’t seen that car.
svianna (@svianna)
10th September 2020, 19:29
The ONLY car that VET could drive and see Lewis in his rear view mirror is the SAFETY CAR…;)))
Banyan
10th September 2020, 19:17
Lewis and Seb are always speaking very highly of one another. And it always comes across sincere on video, so if this reads as condescending then it’s you reading it that way, not Lewis Saying it that way.
Andy Bunting (@wildbiker)
11th September 2020, 9:07
+1
Learon
11th September 2020, 10:24
+1
Rodber
10th September 2020, 17:51
Jeez, here we go again with Lewis holding forth on other people’s affairs.
It’s not smart, or polite, but he just can’t zip it.
Ju88sy (@)
10th September 2020, 18:00
Jeez, here we go again with internet-commenters not understanding quotes are usually taken from answers to a direct question, they just can’t zip it and understand the idea of ‘interviews’, ‘questions’ and ‘answers’ :).
Green Flag (@greenflag)
10th September 2020, 18:01
Yet here you are holding forth on other people’s (Lewis’s) affairs. It’s not smart, or polite, but you just can’t zip it.
bob (@riptide)
10th September 2020, 18:05
Were you asked for your opinion like Hamilton was? No. So zip it boy.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
10th September 2020, 18:09
What’s he supposed to say when someone asks a question about a friend at a public press conference? “Oh, I don’t know, I hadn’t thought about that?” That’s what I’d call not smart! They both have a huge respect for each other, so why not say what everyone expects him to say, that he thinks it’s great for Sebastian.
Nomad
10th September 2020, 18:10
He was asked a question at a Mercedes pre-event press conference. His only real options are to say it’s a great move, say it isn’t a great move, or refuse to answer a simple question. I’m sure people would find a reason to criticise him which ever option he chose.
John
10th September 2020, 18:09
Rumour has it Hamilton arranged the entire move… singlehandedly!
gardenfella (@gardenfella72)
10th September 2020, 21:50
He masterminded it when he was still driving for McLaren
Esploratore (@esploratore)
10th September 2020, 18:20
Experience counts, he says, experience at spinning, driving slowly or making mistakes I guess.
Robbie (@robbie)
10th September 2020, 21:49
@esploratore Or experience from winning 4 WDCs in a row that will help RP immensely, which was LH’s point.
ppzzus (@ppzzus)
10th September 2020, 23:21
I genuinely hope Vettel gets destroyed in the midfield, and I believe he will.
Edvaldo
11th September 2020, 1:38
Both are mature enough by this point. It may not be the ideal place, but it’s still better to have Vettel there than without him.
And with Alonso back, this midfield next year is going to be one to pay attention to.