Aston Martin Poach Key Member of Mercedes F1 Team

Formula 1 ‘rookie’ team, Aston Martin Racing, recently announced a new signing for 2022. Before Sebastian Vettel fans panic, no, there is no change in the driver’s lineup. The new signing is of chief aerodynamicist Eric Blandin from Mercedes AMG.

Blandin not only has a huge amount of experience in his area of expertise, but he has previously worked with some top teams on the grid. His resume shows that before signing for Aston Martin, he was employed by Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021 Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel in action REUTERS/Florion Goga

Lawrence Stroll’s team signing a Mercedes chief only adds more to the Silver Arrows concerns.

It’s because Red Bull had also poached Mercedes’ head of mechanical engineering Ben Hodgkinson. This was followed by an announcement of five more signings from Mercedes engine staff by its principal rival.

So, Aston Martin perhaps got lucky in this migration of engineering talent from Mercedes. In fact, signing these high-profile engineers and directors is only emphasising further on Stroll’s ambition for his team.

Lawrence Stroll’s big plans for Aston Martin

Stroll is taking some big steps in the long-term future of building Aston Martin into a championship-winning team.

Blandin is the second signing Aston Martin have now made. The other being Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics, Dan Fallows. Although Fallows was rumoured to run the course of his contract until 2023, he’s now set to join as the technical director for Aston Martin in 2022.

Lawrence Stroll had also signed Martin Whitmarsh, the ex-McLaren boss, earlier this year. Whitmarsh would join Stroll’s team as Group Chief Executive Officer.

Currently, Stroll is working on a new factory and integrated campus for his team.

Earlier this season, Lawrence Stroll had described the 2021 changes in aerodynamics to be the reason for their poor performances. By signing Eric Blandin, Stroll is ensuring that his team is ready in the aero department for 2022.

Especially when the new car design is so heavily tilted towards enhancing the aerodynamics of Formula 1 cars as we know it.

Also Read: Aston Martin Boss Otmar Szafnauer Rumored to Leave & Join Alpine F1

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