Aston Martin presents AMR21 challenger for new F1 era

Aston Martin has presented its 2021 Formula 1 car, the AMR21, ahead of its return to the championship this year.

The Mercedes-powered AMR21 - which is Aston Martin’s first F1 car in six decades - has been painted in the company's iconic British racing green colours and will be driven by new signing Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll during the 2021 season.

Aston Martin has retained key partner BWT despite its replacement as title sponsor, with the Austrian water treatment company’s branding and logos featuring to a lesser extent on the team’s new car.

Vettel will get his first laps behind the wheel of Aston Martin's new F1 car on Thursday for a filming day at Silverstone, where he will share driving duties with Stroll. 

The complete renaming of its F1 car comes after the rebranding of Racing Point, with the new chassis naming structure a departure from Aston Martin’s previous DBR4 and DBR5.

Aston Martin’s return to F1 in a works capacity follows Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll’s takeover of the British sportscar manufacturer last year as part of a bid to rejuvenate the firm.

It has carried over the RP20 chassis which helped the team clinch fourth place in the constructors’ championship in 2020 with four podium finishes, including Racing Point’s maiden victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix.

The Silverstone-based outfit is aiming for more podiums and wins in 2021 with its revised driver line-up, having made the high-profile signing of four-time world champion Vettel following his Ferrari departure to replace Sergio Perez, who has joined Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.

After enduring a difficult final few years at Ferrari, Vettel is seeking a return to form at his new team, where he will partner Stroll, who heads into the new campaign off the back of his most successful season in F1 to date.

The 22-year-old Canadian scored his first pole position and two podiums on his way to taking 11th place in the championship.

Haas will become the eighth team to take the covers off its 2021 F1 car when it launches its VF-21 and “new livery” at 8am UK time on Thursday morning.