Aston Martin F1, 2021 launch, dailycarblog
Racing Point Finally Rebrands Into Aston Martin, But It Remains A Mercedes At Heart
Formula One

Racing Point has successfully rebranded into Aston Martin F1 as of March 3rd, 2021. The F1 squad is owned by the world’s poorest billionaire Lawrence Stroll who hopes to capitalize on Aston Martin’s high-profile entry into the world of Formula 1. Aston Martin was a title sponsor of Red Bull, which didn’t help boost sales of road cars, however, Stroll believes an independent Aston Martin F1 car will draw in more buyers for the flagging sports car company. The AMR21 is a barely disguised copy/paste of last year’s Mercedes W11. This is due to the fact Mercedes is a major shareholder and also shares much of its components and engineering technology with Aston Martin’s road car division. And this sharing philosophy is transferred into the newly re-branded F1 squad. Both entities are owned by Stroll and a number of private investors.

But the world’s poorest billionaire is a car guy at heart, during the media launch, Aston Martin F1 owning boss Lawrence Stroll said:

Aston Martin F1, 2021 launch, worlds poorest billionaire, dailycarblog

“I’ve dreamed about this day for a very long time. I’ve always been a car guy and I’ve always loved racing, too,”

“My first dream was to own a Formula One team. My second dream was to acquire a significant shareholding in Aston Martin Lagonda. Today is about the merging of those two dreams.”

“So, as I say, today is all about dreams, and it shows that dreams really can come true, in the shape of our new AMR21.”

Racing Point has a history of transferring into new ownership and re-brands, beginning its F1 journey as Jordan back in the mid-1990s. The AMR21 launch on Wednesday was a time to reveal what is a re-marketing and re-branding exercise and also an opportunity for the sponsors to bask in the glory of free press attention. Which is free advertising for Aston Martin F1. The AMR21 seen at the launch will be significantly updated when it races in anger for the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Aston Martin F1, 2021 launch, Vettel and Stroll, dailycarblog

Ferrari outcast Sebastian Vettel also made his debut and is quite a steal for the team. Vettel also pocketed a few AMF1 shares into the bag to lure him away from any thoughts of quitting the sport. You can not get any more high profile than Vettel. By his own high standards, 2020 was a poor season. Perhaps a change of environment will fire up the 4-times F1 world champion to deliver as he once did. And he will have a decent car underneath him, effectively driving last year’s dominant Mercedes W11 in all but name. And in Vettel’s hands, Aston Martin F1 could be a dark horse for 2021.


Aston Martin F1, 2021 launch, dailycarblog
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