Aston Martin have tossed the covers off its 2021 Formula 1 contender, complete with a green livery.
The former Racing Point team, the AMR21, is the first F1 car to be branded as Aston Martin since 1960. The new identity results from team owner’s Lawrence Stroll’s majority stake in the British manufacturer.
The livery features the expected dark shade of green with a pink stripe breaking up the front wing and sidepod.
The car will carry over the DNA of Racing Point’s ultra-competitive yet contentious 2020 challenger.
The team finished fourth in the standings and claimed a race win with a car that was essentially a copy of Mercedes’ championship-winning 2019 design.
McLaren narrowly pipped the team to third in the constructor standings. Aston’s defeat would have been avoided if not for having a significant sum of points stripped from the team when it was found they had illegally copied the rear brake ducts from Mercedes.
The AMR21 features the 2020 Mercedes gearbox and rear suspension, which Aston Martin buy from the world champions in addition to their engine and use of their wind tunnel.
For 2021, Aston Martin welcomes four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to the fold.
The last two seasons have been difficult for the German, with Ferrari encountering a slump in performance. He replaces the Red Bull-bound Sergio Perez and says he has “high expectations” for the upcoming championship.
“I am not happy with last year in terms of performance – partly my performance – but I accepted it,” said Vettel.
“There are things that didn’t go well, but I am looking forward to this year.
“Things are a bit different but from what I have seen the people are very capable and talented and it is the first time for the last few years that they are getting the oxygen to breathe.”
Vettel and teammate Lance Stroll will shakedown the car at Silverstone tomorrow before turning their attention to the season’s opening race at Bahrain on March 28.
