Racing Point can get Vettel's mind 'in the right place'

Racing Point technical director Andy Green believes the Silverstone-based outfit can put Sebastian Vettel back on the right track when he joins the team for 2021.

Ferrari announced last spring that it would part ways with Vettel at the end of the 2020 season, a dismissal many believed would signal the end of the four-time world champion's career in F1.

Vettel's inability to bring the title back to Maranello and the recent emergence of Charles Leclerc have undoubtedly unsettled the 33-year-old driver.

Yet the German surprisingly accepted the challenge of joining Racing Point, where he will replace the popular Sergio Perez, hoping to be part of the team's prosperous future under its Aston Martin Racing guise.

Green believes that Vettel's current woes are mental rather than the reflection of a driver heading into the dusk of his career.

"I don’t know exactly what is causing him problems with the Ferrari, we’re not privileged to that sort of information, but I’m confident that we can get Seb back to his best again," Green said.

"I think he needs a bit of love, which is something he’s probably not getting at the moment.

"He’s a multiple world champion — you don’t forget how to drive the car."

Read also: Vettel snaps up shares of Aston Martin ahead of 2021

Racing Point's efficiency given its small budget has always been second to none. But its increased resources for 2021 that will allow the team to approach next year's $145 million budget cap coupled with its engineering acumen should allow the outfit to boost Vettel's stock once again.

"I think we’ve got the capability, with the tools we have and the people we have, to give him a car that he can drive again, be comfortable with and get his mind in the right place," Green said.

"Then it’ll just come back again –I’m absolutely confident that we can get him there.

"I’m thoroughly looking forward to it as well — it’s going to be a really exciting time. I can’t wait for him to set foot in the factory next year."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.