F1: Vettel Says Aston Martin Can Beat Mercedes As A Customer Team 

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has dispelled any concerns around the Aston Martin F1 team being considered as a Mercedes B-team in F1, considering its relationship with the German manufacturer. Mercedes has very close relations with Aston Martin which includes a deep technical partnership, a 20 per cent stake in the British motorcar company and a powertrain customer relationship in F1.

Vettel who joins the rebranded Aston Martin marquee in F1, after a 6-year stint with Ferrari has dispelled any concerns about the possibility of Aston Martin being able to defeat Mercedes in F1 because of this dynamic.

Aston Martin comes to F1 on the back of considerable investment from Lawrence Stroll

"With somebody like Mercedes, I think we can trust that you get very fair treatment and if you are faster you will be allowed to beat them. I think this sort of mindset [of thinking there is a disadvantage] is way out of date as a principle. I see where you're coming from, but I'm not worried. I think if we are very close to Mercedes that's a very good achievement, so that will be the last thing I'll worry about," said the 4-time world champion who will be eyeing his 5th title with his new team.

The new Aston Martin livery has been turning heads

Vettel is also going be driving a car with a Mercedes engine for the first time in his career. Previously, he had only driven cars with BMW, Renault and Ferrari powertrains. In the hybrid era of the sport which has been dominated by the rise of the Mercedes, Vettel only drove cars with Renault and Ferrari power units which have made him very optimistic about the project.

"The Mercedes unit is supposedly the strongest on the grid and it will be my first time with Mercedes in Formula 1," added the four-time former World Champion. "I'm looking forward to seeing how they work. We [Aston Martin] are obviously not in charge of the engine and its development and we can benefit from such strong partners, so we can get on with the car and only worry about that. I think we have lots of stuff to do on that front," added the 33-year-old German.