Aston Martin confirms Vettel and Stroll for 2022 season

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The Aston Martin F1 team has confirmed as widely anticipated that Sebastian Vettel will race once again alongside Lance Stroll next season.

Delays in extending Vettel's contract led to speculation that the four-time world champion and the Silverstone-based outfit's talks had perhaps reached a snag.

Aston team boss Otmar Szafnauer repeated dismissed the speculation, insisting that both team and driver were simply taking their time to review the fine print of Vettel's extension.

The German driver has outscored Stroll so far this season, thanks in large part to a runner-up spot at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Vettel also finished second in Hungary earlier this summer, but was later excluded from the results due to a minimum fuel infraction.

"I am really looking forward to racing the new generation of F1 cars," said Vettel, commenting on his prospects for next season.

"Their look is very different and the new technical regulations should give us cars that can race much more closely than recently.

"More exciting racing will be great for the drivers as well as for the fans. The changes are so big that every team will be starting from a new beginning, so it will be a great opportunity for us at Aston Martin.

"I believe in the strength of our new growing team, so I am already looking forward to 2022."

Stroll: New Aston Martin factory 'the reverse' of McLaren's MTC

Stroll delivered his best result with his team this season in last weekend's Italian Grand Prix which he finished seventh.

The young Canadian's results have fallen short of his expectations, but the 22-year-old charger is looking forward to moving up the order in 2022.

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"Next season I will be embarking on my sixth year in F1, alongside my teammate Sebastian," he said.

"We started this Aston Martin team campaign together and I greatly look forward to continuing the journey with him next year.

"We have not achieved what we set out to do this year, but that has only amplified our hunger and drive for success next season.

"Now, with the prestige and support of Aston Martin, and the brilliant new sponsor-partners that such a prestigious brand has attracted, we are well positioned to improve our performance in 2022."

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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.