Aston Martin and Mercedes may be enjoying a healthy partnership as things stand, but Damon Hill believes that this will end if the “loyal subordinate” poses any real threat.
Running as Racing Point previously, the association with Mercedes has always been strong. This became even stronger last year when the team debuted a controversial pink Mercedes.
It had all the non-listed parts that teams are allowed to buy from rivals. however, the design was almost identical to the Mercedes W10 from the previous year.
The brake ducts, which were listed, led to a deduction of 15 points and a monetary fine.
This season has been no different. If anything, the relationship has only grown stronger with top bosses Toto Wolff and Lawrence Stroll noted friends.
However, if Aston Martin is to begin challenging for top honours, this could all change very quickly, according to Hill.
“Intriguing, isn’t it?” Hill said in an interview with Autocar.
“They are so wedded to Mercedes, linked so strongly through part-ownership and, it has to be said, from copying their design.
“But whether they will be a loyal subordinate is another question.
“The moment they start to depart from that, they won’t get so much assistance.
“If Mercedes is going to be beaten it probably won’t be by Aston Martin, but they wouldn’t mind putting Aston between them and Red Bull.”
New Aston Martin recruit Sebastian Vettel does not buy into this theory. he believes Mercedes will not hinder the team even if a championship fight does ensue.
“I’m not worried about that. The world has moved on. In the past, probably you were right. In some cases it may still be present, in other cases a long time ago,” Vettel said.
“With somebody like Mercedes, I think we can trust that you get a 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“I think this sort of mindset [of thinking there is a disadvantage] is way out of date as a principle.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.”
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