Berlin (AP) – Sebastian Vettel has to slow down. On the way back to the Formula 1 car, the 34-year-old is only gradually shaking off the consequences of the corona infection, which forced him to take a break in the first two races of the season.
It is said that he is now well enough for light training. The Hessian doesn’t have much time. The trip to Australia is to go in just a few days, the ailing Aston Martin team urgently longs for the comeback of the four-time world champion.
Aston Martin drives so far behind
Condemned to inaction, Vettel had to watch from his quarantine how the British racing team had no chance in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. “Of course we’re disappointed,” admitted team boss Mike Krack. The team returned to the race factory at Silverstone for a stopover without any points. Only Williams is currently as far behind as Aston Martin.
From a distance, Vettel had tried to provide start-up assistance via video switch. He was “in constant contact” with the engineers, said Boss Krack. “He attended all meetings and gave us advice,” said the Luxembourger. And that despite the fact that Vettel was “quite taken” by the illness from Covid-19.
The slump in form at Aston Martin was hardly conducive to his recovery. Another year of frustration threatens with no prospect of victories. Vettel wanted to use the rule reform with completely new cars to attack the top with the British factory team.
Nothelfer Nico Hülkenberg had fun with his unexpected assignment as a Vettel representative, but was unable to perform any miracles in the inferior car. It’s not difficult for the Rhinelander to make room for his compatriot again. “It was a short vacation for me. I’m completely fine with going back to my quasi-old life,” said the 34-year-old. He will now accompany Formula 1 again as a TV expert.
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Vettel uses Formula 1 simulator
Vettel’s contract also ends after this season. While his former employer Ferrari is back at the top of Formula 1, Vettel’s mission at Aston Martin is not gaining momentum even in its second year. At least it helps him these days that his employer delivered a Formula 1 simulator to his adopted home in Switzerland before the start of the season. So Vettel does not have to travel to the team headquarters in England to prepare for the Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The racing simulator is equipped with Vettel’s racing seat, headrest and seat belts from the previous year. Three monitors in front of the cockpit should ensure the most realistic racing experience possible. However, this cannot fully replace the lessons learned from the laps on the track. Vettel is missing the first two races of the season in order to compare his impressions of the test drives and to propose changes to the engineers.
“We will work hard to improve our car for Australia,” said team boss Krack. The 50-year-old only took over the post a few weeks ago and probably imagined the debut quite differently. Many years ago, Krack was Vettel’s racing engineer when his Formula 1 career was just beginning. Now both have to hope that their reunion will not be the bitter end.