Hakkinen: Baku 'not the last podium' for Vettel in 2021

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Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen has backed Sebastian Vettel to repeat in the near future his Azerbaijan Grand Prix podium performance.

Vettel crossed the checkered flag second in Baku, securing his maiden podium with new team Aston Martin after a solid drive and having benefitted from the misfortune that befell championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

The result followed a challenging start to the German driver's life at Team Silverstone, having failed to achieve a single top-ten finish in the first four races of the season.

"It was really fantastic to see him on the podium and smiling again," Hakkinen wrote in his post-race column for Unibet.

"Sebastian had a very tough final season at Ferrari in 2020, and a lot of people wondered if he could rediscover his form at Aston.

"As a four times World Champion he knows how to get the most from a car, and also from a race like the one on Sunday.

"He ran a long first stint, giving him fresh tyres and the grip he needed to attack the cars in front. He raced very strongly, put together some great moves, and gave himself and the team a really important boost."

Read also: Vettel wondered 'who is next' after Baku tyre failures

Hakkinen believes Baku will have been a confidence booster for Vettel, and that more productive results are bound to follow if he can uphold his new-found form.

"Aston Martin have had a difficult start to the season, but Sebastian is now a lot happier with the car and if he can continue to build confidence in its performance I am sure this will not be the last time we see him on the podium this 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.