Schumacher in the short-list to replace Vettel at Aston Martin
The current Haas F1 driver could replace the four-time world champion in the British team in 2023.
Aston Martin is beginning to come to terms with the idea that this 2022 season could very well be Sebastian Vettel’s last in Formula 1. The German driver, in addition to questioning the relevance of his presence in the sport, seems to be quite demotivated to compete with an underperforming car.
The team based in Silverstone is therefore starting to search for a new teammate for Lance Stroll starting in 2023. For several weeks, rumors have been circulating about a possible transfer of Fernando Alonso to the English team. These rumors are even more plausible considering that the management of Alpine F1 would like to promote their reserve driver and reigning F2 champion, Australian Oscar Piastri.
However, a new name has emerged as a potential replacement for the German four-time world champion, and that is Mick Schumacher. The current Haas F1 driver is not currently going through an easy period but has two assets that could interest Aston Martin: his family name and his nationality.
This last aspect may come as a surprise for a British team owned by a Canadian CEO, but it would be in line with the strategy desired by Lawrence Stroll for the Gaydon brand. Aston Martin Cars has been experiencing disappointing results in Europe and hopes to increase its sales on the Old Continent, starting with the German market. For example, in February of last year, the brand founded in 1913 only sold 87 cars in Western Europe, far from the boss’s high ambitions.
In addition to hosting a four-time Formula 1 world champion, Vettel’s arrival in 2021 already had commercial reasons. The lack of results and the green turn taken by the German driver did not yield the expected results.
In order to make room for Schumacher in Silverstone, Aston Martin will have to succeed in getting Michael’s son released from his contract with the Ferrari Driver Academy. This process should not pose a problem at first glance, as the future seems blocked for the 23-year-old driver in Maranello. But in Formula 1, it is better to never take anything for granted.
