Vettel will take Aston Martin F1 team to 'different level' - Brawn

Sebastian Vettel’s arrival will “lift everyone” at Aston Martin and take the team to a “different level” in 2021, according to Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn.

On the eve of the Tuscan Grand Prix, long-running rumours about Vettel’s future were finally put to bed when Racing Point announced it has secured the four-time world champion’s signature for when it rebrands as the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021.

Vettel will make the switch to replace Sergio Perez at the Silverstone-based outfit and partner Lance Stroll once his contract with Ferrari expires at the end of the year.

Commenting on the move, Brawn said: “It was a story that has dominated the headlines for several months now, so it wasn’t a surprise when Racing Point announced Sebastian Vettel would join them next season ahead of their rebrand as Aston Martin F1 Team.

“It’s a big statement by Lawrence Stroll. Vettel is a proven champion and I think, still has the fight in him. Drafting in someone of his stature will help lift everyone inside the team, whose aspirations are now significantly higher.

“His experience will be invaluable. But it is now putting the team on a different level and the results will need to start matching Lawrence Stroll’s ambition.”

The switch has left Perez without a seat for 2021, but Brawn is hopeful that the Mexican will find himself a suitable landing spot on the grid for next year.

“Sergio Perez now finds himself on the move after a very long period with this team,” he added. “He must have very mixed emotions.

“However, he’s a very fast racer who is driving at his peak right now and deserves a place on next year’s grid. Hopefully he can find the right opportunity and start a new adventure.”