Who needs to make way for Vettel? "I wouldn't put my own son out''
Sebastian Vettel seems on his way to a seat at Racing Point (Aston Martin from 2021 onwards) in 2021, but who will have to leave? Both drivers seem to have a contract for 2021, so who will make room?
Vettel put on the street
Even before the Formula 1 season started in 2020, it was announced that Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of 2020. The four-time world champion will therefore be put out on the streets by the Italians and despite a mountain of titles, not every team is ready to take on the German.
For example, Red Bull Racing was very quick with their answer that they are sticking with the current drivers and with Max Verstappen they already have a first driver. Mercedes kept the door ajar out of courtesy, but in the meantime has already extended the contract with Valtteri Bottas and it would be very strange if Lewis Hamilton suddenly stops and Vettel takes his place.
So Vettel has to look further on the grid if he wants to stay in Formula 1. McLaren chose Daniel Ricciardo over Vettel and Renault brought Fernando Alonso back. The only other option seemed to be Racing Point, but everyone was convinced that there was no possibility here. Until Vettel suddenly had a lot of contact with Lawrence Stroll and Otmar Szafnauer.
Who needs to make way for Aston Martin?
The rumours took shape when Alonso revealed that he had also been with Racing Point. The world looked up in amazement. Is there still a seat available here? At the end of 2020 Sergio Perez signed a long-term contract until 2023 and as the son of the owner, Lance Stroll also seemed certain of his seat.
Nothing could be further from the truth, because everyone is sure that Vettel will be announced by Racing Point in the near future. He is clear who should leave then. ''In that situation I wouldn't throw out my own son either'', Perez told the Spanish Movistar.
Yet the door doesn't seem closed to Perez. Firstly, the driver has a contract and secondly, he has proven his worth to the team more than once. Lawrence Stroll doesn't own the team on his own, so a (temporary) departure of son Lance can't be excluded. A short performance for another team is an option or will Perez's contract still be bought out?
Everybody misses an important point: will Racing Point be competitive in 2021? Will they be again a "pink Mercedes" or they must design their own F1? Will Mercedes or LH retire, after 2021? If I were Vettel, I won't sign for Racing Point. A bad season on a midfield car is possible, if not likely. He doesn't need money and has only to lose joining them. Moreover, if daddy Stroll didn't fall in a total madness, his boy will stay, otherwise nothing he did has a meaning. (and we all know Vettel needs to feel the "first" of the team)
Really a good boy like Vettel, doesn't deserve an infamous career end. Wait for the LH seat, if he retires and jump into to catch your records, or say goodbay everybody.
Who says Sebastian needs a competitive seat?
He has had a Ferrari for 5 years. What did he do with them?
He must drive has for a change.
He won a number of races and without and incredible sequence of mistakes, and mental weakness, could win the 2018 championship.
If Ferrari has been hazardous, along Mercedes era, Racing Point is ten times more.
He needs a team structured to win championship, with all the staff running (and caring) after him.
Initially, I was of the same opinion as Checko: Stroll is not gonna kick out Stroll Junior.
But the more time passes, the more I got to reevaluate.
Yes, sure, I too am not the biggest fan of Lance, but I gave it a proper think the other day: we have to admit he is still VERY young (!). Moreover, let‘s be honest, he is NOT the worst driver in F1 (I‘d even say midfield-ish, and given his youth still a lot of potential to improve).
Sure, Daddy can buy you a seat... But young Lance didn‘t embarrass himself or his Dad completely! Because if he truly had, even all of Lawrence‘s money in the world couldnt buy a second (third, ...) season for the boy.
Next, I also do not consider Lawrence Stroll an idiot, but rather a damn successful businessman. Now the businessman will see three things: 1) Vettel is available, 2) Checko still performs AND a buyout is insanely expensive (you have to pay Checko AND lose his sponsorship money too!), 3) Lance Stroll is not a kid anymore.
Wait, what? Yup, the third part matters immensely, because between adults, things can actually be talked over!
Does anyone actually think, that if Lawrence Stroll can get his (again: grown up) son to do the right thing for EVERYBODY but his own ego (that is, gaining more experience and honing his racecraft with a bit less (media) scrutiny in a Haas or Alfa (with an F :P) for 1 year AND thereby freeing up the Vettel seat AND upholding Checkos contract PLUS keeping the sponsor money... again: everybody wins but Lance‘s ego), that Stroll senior wouldn‘t at least TRY? The businessman, I mean?
It basically comes down to how mature Lance is, and how ready to contribute to his Dad‘s business (Aston Martin) long term, rather than pleasing his ego short term.
Like Pierre Gasly, he could probably impress most of us much more actually performing in a somewhat mediocre car, than piloting the Pink Merc around and maybe not entirelly unlocking its potential (again like Gasly at RBR).
Vettel and Checko would finish the developing of the car over the next Season, and Lance returns 2022 as a mature, proper driver, and not just Daddy‘s boy...
It COULD happen. I cannot predict how realistic it is, though ;)
Well, we will see if Papa Stroll will be acting as an astute businessman in the interest of Aston Martin or will he act as a father.
Like I said, Stroll Snr has two options:
He either has to explain to the board why he kept his son, or explain to his wife why he kicked out his son.
It is a zero sum problem.
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