Aston Martin retains Vettel, Stroll for 2022 F1 season

A further piece of the puzzle has now been slotted into place with the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team announcing its 2022 driver line-up. The Silverstone-based outfit will retain its current driver line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll next year when the sport introduces a radically new set of technical regulations.

The four-time world champion joined the British team at the start of the current season after leaving Ferrari following a six-year tenure with the fabled Italian outfit. After their brilliant season in 2020, the team has sustained a dip in performance as it was unable to adapt to the slightly modified technical regulation over the winter.

The former Racing Point team has collected a total of 59 points of which Vettel scored 35 points. The German is currently 12th in the Drivers’ Championship with his team mate just a place behind.

The team has recorded its best result in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Vettel grabbed the second place on the podium following a hectic, incident-filled race. The German repeated this feat in the Hungarian Grand Prix, but he was later disqualified for a fuel sample issue.

Stroll said: “Next season I will be embarking on my sixth year in Formula One, alongside my team-mate Sebastian. We started this Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team campaign together and I greatly look forward to continuing the journey with him next year.

"We have not achieved what we set out to do this year, but that has only amplified our hunger and drive for success next season. Now, with the prestige and support of Aston Martin, and the brilliant new sponsor-partners that such a prestigious brand has attracted, we are well positioned to improve our performance in 2022.”

Vettel will complete his 16th season in Formula One next season while the 2022 F1 championship will be the seventh season for his Canadian team mate.

Vettel, meanwhile, added: “I am really looking forward to racing the new generation of Formula One cars. Their look is very different and the new technical regulations should give us cars that can race much more closely than recently. More exciting racing will be great for the drivers as well as for the fans.

"The changes are so big that every team will be starting from a new beginning, so it will be a great opportunity for us at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team. I believe in the strength of our new growing team, so I am already looking forward to 2022," Vettel added.

Commenting on the announcement, Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, said: “The first ever season for Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team got off to a disappointing start, owing to the regulatory changes over the winter that disadvantaged the two teams whose cars utilise a low-rake aero philosophy.

"But we have made good progress over the past few months, and both Lance and Sebastian have delivered some excellent performances. They have had more than their fair share of bad luck, but in 2022 we are delighted to be continuing with such an excellent blend of youthful talent and experienced expertise.”