Sebastian Vettel left Ferrari last season. Where the German could have chosen a gap year, he decided to take up the challenge with Aston Martin. With his new team, he won second place during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last week, although that performance also needed some luck.
The German driver finished in his first five races twice fifteenth, twice thirteenth and once in fifth position. "When you look at this, I think: is this luck?", Tom Coronel openly wondered Friday night at Formula 1 Cafe on Ziggo Sport. "After all, the average is not on the podium. Not even close. It's a bit around spot 10. This is good for the team and him because he is a four-time world champion after all."
Aston Martin were lucky in Baku that Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton did not end up finishing in the points. Valtteri Bottas was also having a disappointing race, which suddenly left room for other drivers to reach the podium. "It's cool that he got second, but it's not going to happen again," Coronel said.
The podium at GP of Azerbaijan
Vettel was not the only surprise on the podium in Azerbaijan. Sergio Pérez took the Grand Prix victory with Red Bull, while Pierre Gasly finished in third place.