Sebastian Vettel has sounded a battle cry to Aston Martin after the team banked its first double-points finish of the F1 season.
Vettel and team-mate Lance Stroll finished fifth and eighth respectively at the Monaco Grand Prix to almost quadruple Aston Martin's points tally for the year as they added 14 to the measly five from the opening four races.
Team principal Otmar Szafnauer has already conceded the team will not be able to battle McLaren and Ferrari for third in the constructors' standings, but the lower midfield battle with AlphaTauri and Alpine remains fierce.
“We can see it is very tight," said Vettel. "Small things like in Monaco can make the difference.
"We had good pace in the race so obviously then it helps to start doing something. We have to take this momentum into the next races.
"It was obviously a good day to have both cars in the points. We have waited for that and it was a very important day for all of us, for the team and for the guys. A good message also to everyone back in the factory.
“Monaco always has the potential to be a special race and it came our way this time.”
Can Vettel and Aston Martin repeat the form in Baku?
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is next on the calendar but although the race is again a street venue, Vettel is all too aware of the differences between Monaco and Baku.
"It’s a street circuit, even though the nature is very different because it is very fast with one long straight line but we will see," added Vettel.
“Fifth is a very strong result for us and we will take the points. Hopefully, we can be similarly strong in Baku."
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