Aston Martin Sorry Vettel Couldn't Reap Benefits Of 2023 Car After Huge Contribution
F1Friday, 01 December 2023 at 20:00
Aston Martin Performance Director Tom McCullough praised Sebastian Vettel for what he brought to the team before he retired from Formula One.
Throughout his F1 career, Sebastian Vettel spent the majority of his time in Championship contending teams like Red Bull, where he won four consecutive Championships, or Ferrari, where he finished twice as a runner-up in the Drivers' Championship.
However, towards the end of his career, Sebastian Vettel moved to the newly formed Aston Martin team that was not as competitive at the time. Tom McCullough recalled:
"When he joined us he came from two championship-winning teams. At that time, he brought a lot of small details. He was a relentless worker as well."
The German was exactly the experienced driver that the team needed to help with the development of the car and setting up the right processes inside the team. McCullough continued:
"We often say the drivers are the best sensor in the car [when] a lot of the development you've got [include] wind tunnels, simulators, offline simulation, CFD."
McColough explained how Vettel's critical insight trhoughout season 2022 was essential for the development direction of Aston Martin 2023 car.
"That allows you to go dig into the data. We didn't give him a good enough car over the two years he was here. By the end of his second year, we were making progress."
Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement at the end of the 2022 season and was replaced by another super-experienced F1 driver, Fernando Alonso.
The Spanish Matador made the most of the car that he got during the 2023 season, achieved eight podiums, and finished fourth in the driver's Championship.
The performance director said he felt for Vettel, who put in all the work throughout previous seasons and did not get to reap the benefits.
"I felt for him that he's not really got any of the benefits of this year's car. Over the years that often happens."
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