Szafnauer: 'New sponsors aren't not coming to Vettel'

After years of absence, Aston Martin return as a constructor in Formula 1 next season. The return of this name and not the arrival of Vettel has, according to director Otmar Szafnauer, attracted new sponsors.

Aston Martin are no strangers to Formula 1, but in recent years the manufacturer has raced under the Racing Point banner. Next season the name Aston Martin will appear again on the car and in the manufacturer's list. The team has attracted a host of new sponsors for the coming season including Cognizant, Sentinel One, Peroni Libera and NetApp. According to Szafnauer this is not because Sebastien Vettel made the switch from Ferrari, but because of the name change. He explained this in an interview with Reuters.

"They all want to be part of the journey we are on and Aston Martin, the name and what we are trying to do and what our future plans are, have certainly attracted a lot of sponsors this year. I think the name change to Aston Martin has attracted them and also the existing sponsors are happy that we are going in the direction we have gone."

Vettel was only a small part of the interest

Szafnauer said he thinks the signing of Vettel surely is a reason for new sponsors to come, but absolutely not the main reason. The lure of the return of the Aston Martin name was an enticing possibility. Paolo Lanzarotti, managing director of Asahi Europe and International, the company behind sponsor Peroni Libera, confirms Szafnauer's words. According to him, the arrival of the former Ferrari driver was a factor, but certainly not the biggest one.

"The entry of Aston Martin was a crucial decision for us. It is a phenomenal brand," he told Reuters. "Of course the team composition also has an influence, but for us it's primarily about team branding."

Other Aston Martin sponsors such as BWT will remain on board, but will play a less prominent role next season.