Pure elegance, Aston Martin unveiled its AMR21, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll’s car for the 2021 season. A true English standard that recovers the traditional British Racing Green and that also aspires to be the third car on the grid in the hands of a four-time world champion.
In sight, many details of the Mercedes, from which Racing Point was inspired last year, and a rear engine cover in the style of the one the Germans presented last Tuesday. More stylized than the McLaren, in appearance, even with the same engine.
“It is a great moment in the history of our F1 team, that Aston Martin return to F1 (they did not compete since 1960) is great news for racing,” said Otmar Szafnauer, CEO of the team that has taken a quality leap. Undeniable with input from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of Lance, a proud link between the former Force India Silverstone team and the English automaker: “My first dream was to have an F1 team and the second, have a stake in Aston Martin Lagonda. Today is the third with the presentation of the AMR21″.
Precisely, if something could be attributed to certain teams in the championship, it was the lack of tradition behind it. It is difficult for a fan to identify with a car called ‘Racing Point’. It is impossible not to generate attraction by resorting to a British insignia with more years of history than Ferrari itself, together with a color that combines tradition and future. And anticipation: Tom Brady or James Bond himself (Daniel Craig) participated in the presentation.
“It is a team that has potential”
What does this car aspire to? Without difficulties it can be the third or fourth in question, behind Mercedes and Red Bull, but not far from the second, and in a tough fight with Ferrari if the Italians recover the path of the podiums. Sergio Pérez won a race in 2020, that speaks to the possibilities of this team, which expand with Vettel, because the 33-year-old German is one of the most talented drivers of his generation, even if his last campaigns at Ferrari were disappointing.
“I have driven for four F1 teams for many years, but starting a season with a new one is always exciting. This team has impressed me over the last few years for all they have done without the biggest budget, I see potential. When Lawrence (Stroll) and Otmar (Szafnauer) asked me last year, and they explained their ambitions, I was immediately motivated by the project. I love the history of Aston Martin”, said the renewed Seb, out of the tensions of Ferrari: “The car is spectacular and I’m looking forward to testing it out on the track.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t because I want more successes. Winning is too ambitious for now, but it is still the goal of all of us who are here, that’s why we compete,” says the German. Trade Leclerc for Stroll as a partner. The comparisons are hateful.
Although the Canadian, 22, defends himself with a pole and several podiums in his career from the status of ‘paid driver’. With a first cousin to the Mercedes and Hamilton’s biggest rival in the last decade with another car, Aston Martin promises a show.