Sebastian Vettel's season hasn't gone to plan as the German has faced hurdle after hurdle with new team Aston Martin, which is why he's hoping to have a clean weekend in Portugal. The 33-year-old remains pointless after the opening two F1 races in Bahrain and Italy, while teammate Lance Stroll has collected five points. It's a far cry from what Vettel and Aston Martin had hoped for prior to the start of the season, with the British outfit viewed by many as a challenger for third in the constructors' standings. That spot is currently held by McLaren, who have 41 points so far, and Vettel is hoping to get his season back on track with a strong showing at Portimao. “I think Portimao is a good place to aim for a clean weekend – the circuit is a high-speed autodrome; very smooth, and with plenty of gradient," Vettel said via an Aston Martin press release. "It’s fun to drive, and I think it’ll be a good place to get a better handle on the limits of the AMR21. "I know I’m yet to get the maximum from the car – but the fact that we understand that is another good reason to keep pushing.” As for teammate Lance Stroll, the Canadian is hoping to collect more points in order to keep pace with the other teams in the midfield battle. “We head to Portugal feeling positive that we’re making progress in unlocking the full potential of the AMR21," Stroll stated via a press release. "There’s an exciting battle within the midfield pack, and our aim is to compete at the front of it – another clean weekend, and the prospect of more points, will ensure we maintain our momentum.”
Most read
