It was August 2018 when the Formula One racing team Force India came out of administration. A consortium of investors led by Lawrence Stroll re-launched the team as Racing Point Force India, marking the start of the exciting story of the return of Aston Martin to the pinnacle of motor racing.
The team was re-branded as Racing Point for the following two seasons, only coming under the iconic Aston Martin Wings in 2021 after Lawrence Stroll acquired a 16.7% stake in the company the year prior. Despite its growing presence in the Formula One paddock over the previous years as a technical partner to Red Bull, it was in 2021 when Aston Martin returned as a fully-fledged racing team for the first time in 60 years.
Straight from the get-go, Lawrence Stroll made his ambitions for the team clear, signing up the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to race alongside his son Lance Stroll and declaring they will be fighting for the championships in five years. It is now 2023, and the Silverstone-based team seems to be much closer.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. What might now seem like the worst possible timing for Sebastian Vettel to have retired, an opportunity arose for another multiple-world champion in Fernando Alonso. By his move to Aston Martin the Spaniard has not only shaken things up during last year's silly season but might have made one of his best career moves yet.
The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team have started the 2023 campaign strongly, with two podiums, on merit, in the opening two races and currently sitting in second place in the Constructor’s championship standings.
Aston Martin’s team principal Mike Krack seems to be confident his team is well-equipped to take on the pressure and stay focused despite early success.
"I think Team Silverstone has been in the business for a very, very long time, and the people know how racing is…So I am not scared that they will lose the ground from under their feet, we have to manage the situation properly”
Krack explained during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
The Aston Martin garage is buzzing with anticipation and excitement, as the team gears up for what promises to be an electrifying season. Despite the team boss' best efforts to keep everyone level-headed, it's impossible to ignore the undeniable momentum that's building within the squad. It is clear that AMR23 has taken a significant leap from its precedent and is now a possible contender to challenge the big three. It is certainly a morale boost for everyone involved.
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