Former F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has insisted he is happy to witness Aston Martin's improvement this season despite leaving the project last term.
The German retired from F1 at the end of his second season with the Silverstone-based team as a mid-season turnaround saw the outfit finish seventh in the Constructors' standings.
But it has all changed this campaign, with Vettel's replacement Fernando Alonso securing six podiums in the opening 12 races of the year to take third in the Drivers' championship at the summer break.
Vettel was seen as pivotal in the development of the team after the rebranding from Racing Point to the British manufacturer, with Owner Lawrence Stroll investing heavily in a plan to battle for World Championships mid-decade.
Despite missing out on the chance to challenge with the team, there is no bitterness for the four-time World Champion, who is also full of praise for former team Red Bull amidst their dominance over the field.
Viewed by others:
Strange
"I'm still very interested in Formula 1," Vettel told The Red Bulletin.
"It was a bit strange at the first race but now I enjoy watching it. I know the sport inside out, I still love it.
"Maybe I see certain things differently, but I'm not sad when I look at my former colleagues, not at all."
"People's initial reaction was 'That Aston Martin is fast this season must do something to you, right?'
"Ok, maybe it would be easier if the car totally sucked so I wouldn't have missed anything, but I'm mostly happy for the team and I'm happy for Fernando Alonso.
"For years he didn't have a car in which he could show his qualities. Now he can and he's immediately at the front.
"Red Bull dominates and I still have a lot of friends there. I am very happy when they win."
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