Aston Martin Enthusiasts - Miscellaneous
Discussion
In 2020 Racing Point had (I think) their most succesful season. Therefore all looked very good for this season, especially because the planned major 2021 regulation change was deferred for one year.
There were however some changes to the aerodynamic regulations (I believe to reduce turbulence for a following car).
Aston Martin's form so far this year has been worse than in 2020. The team refer to the 'low rake' cars (lower rear ride height) being adversely impacted by the 2021 aerodynamic regulation change.
The two teams with 'low rake' cars are Mercedes and Aston Martin.
At present Mercedes are 1st with 141 points and Aston Martin are 7th with 5 points.
Therefore, how can low rake be their main problem ?
NFC 85 Vette said:
...... That said, this year's car's moved on in a number of areas, so it hasn't stayed rooted to the spot. The trouble is that Alpine are starting to show pace, Alpha Tauri have a decent little car, and McLaren and Ferrari are quickly becoming a speck ahead of them.
and all that new sponsorship money, which came to the Stroll privately owned F1 team, on the strength of 2020 results and also to be associated with the Aston Martin name for 2021. The sponsors might be wondering why only 5 points are in the bag at present (10 if you include the very mature and experienced, four times world champion's penalty points).
Yes, the team should be pleased and perhaps relieved, with their Monaco performance.
A big move up in the Constructors table.
Sebastian Vettel must be pleased with his own results. For the first time since joining the team, he was ahead of Lance Stroll in Practice, Qualifying and Race.
NFC 85 Vette said:
...... the same Toto who tried throwing Bottas under the bus in Monaco because of where he stopped in his pit box.
Yesterday I saw a replay (overhead shots). The front wheel was almost exactly in line with the 90° yellow line.
Interesting though, the corresponding rear wheel line was not in line with the centre of the rear wheel.
Slightly misleading for the rear wheel pit crew, if the lines did not exactly match the wheelbase of the car.
LTP said:
I do watch F1 but I don't really consider the Aston Martin team to be Aston Martin, just Force India/Racing Point with a paint job, whereas the WEC Vantages were an entirely and obviously different matter. I know I should root for them but....meh.
As for the drivers? I've thought Vettel was an arrogant little s
t ever since his days in Red Bull and Stroll is not as good as his daddy thinks he is. I'm not going to go head-to-head with 'Vette and I'm not saying he doesn't have some talent (much more than me, probably. But then my father wasn't a billionaire who could buy me seats until I found out just how good I wasn't). Plus Stroll has inherited his father's easy, engaging manner, ready wit and bonhomie.
So I'm afraid I tend to watch Lewis' progress in his fight with Max, am enjoying McLaren's resurgence and would celebrate their success in the midfield much more than that of Force Aston Point and hope to see the great (but sadly now VC-owned) Williams return closer to the front. And Fernando, of course. Sadly Kimi seems to have given up his maverick status and appears to be happy to phone it in most weekends - his best days were at Lotus "Yes yes, I'm doing all of that" ... "Leave me alone I know what I'm doing"
Just my opinion, of course - others no doubt disagree. I do understand the potential marketing benefit of having Aston in F1, as it probably reaches a far greater audience than WEC and raises awareness of the brand in those countries who don't know it. Which is why there is now script on the boot- (or trunk-) lids as well as the wings. Not all populations follow the "British understatement" philosophy and like to shout about their success.
As for the drivers? I've thought Vettel was an arrogant little s
t ever since his days in Red Bull and Stroll is not as good as his daddy thinks he is. I'm not going to go head-to-head with 'Vette and I'm not saying he doesn't have some talent (much more than me, probably. But then my father wasn't a billionaire who could buy me seats until I found out just how good I wasn't). Plus Stroll has inherited his father's easy, engaging manner, ready wit and bonhomie.So I'm afraid I tend to watch Lewis' progress in his fight with Max, am enjoying McLaren's resurgence and would celebrate their success in the midfield much more than that of Force Aston Point and hope to see the great (but sadly now VC-owned) Williams return closer to the front. And Fernando, of course. Sadly Kimi seems to have given up his maverick status and appears to be happy to phone it in most weekends - his best days were at Lotus "Yes yes, I'm doing all of that" ... "Leave me alone I know what I'm doing"
Just my opinion, of course - others no doubt disagree. I do understand the potential marketing benefit of having Aston in F1, as it probably reaches a far greater audience than WEC and raises awareness of the brand in those countries who don't know it. Which is why there is now script on the boot- (or trunk-) lids as well as the wings. Not all populations follow the "British understatement" philosophy and like to shout about their success.
Hope you do not mind me copying your post, Paul
Moving the topic to F1, means it gets lost to AM PHers.
Yes, I understand. Seeing the Vantage GTEs race at Le Mans was wonderful. A thrill to see a car looking like ours, racing against Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet etc. That last lap win, what a day.
How about reconsidering your view on Kimi? A great elder statesman of the sport, who loves racing and his ability means his employers uniquely accept his disinterest in the corporate nonsense.
He is certainly no slouch even now. His Ferrari sponsored wonder kid team mate, is usually trailing Kimi on the timing screens.
The car is his limiting factor.
Have you seen this video? Kimi caught more than half the field napping on the opening lap.
17th to 6th in one lap. What an exhibition of race driving skill amongst the best in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ChdaNDFI30
Do you remember the days, when a few men in a shed, in the Surrey countryside became World Champions and beat the all conquering Ferrari?
Ken Tyrrell and Jackie Stewart. What a pairing. Their talented engineer car designer, had never designed an F1 car before.
Almost everyone then had the same Cosworth engine (£7,500 - not click and collect, but order and collect in your Transit van).
Today, 800 or 1000 employees and millions of Pounds, seem essential to prepare just two cars for the starting grid. Which was more exciting to watch?
The Tyrrell shed still stands today.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 7th June 21:42
Hello again. Our topic has a peculiar title, because F1 topics are moved and quickly die. Here we are allowed to talk about anything directly Aston Martin related, including any Aston Martin racing cars.
Dates for your diaries;
10th February 2022.
The 2022 Aston Martin Formula 1 car will be unveiled at Gaydon. ( Do you remember that 2021 unveiling video presentation? -
)On 23rd February 2022 at Barcelona, the six days of pre-season testing begins, before the opening round of the season at Bahrain on 20th March 2022.
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 15th January 14:23
Expect you all saw the recent additional sponsorship announcement, by Aston Martin F1 Racing.
https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/news/announcem...
Aramco, tha biggest oil company (excl. China) in the world.
Even the F1 entrant name is being changed to, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team.
Do you think the Aramco deal would have been possible, for what was called the Racing Point team, if they had not adopted the Aston Martin name?
Aston Martin are even paying the privately owned racing team, a considerable sum each year, to have their own name used by the team.
I don't know, but perhaps none of the new money received from a long list of new sponsors, finds its way to AML.
What are your thoughts ?
Only one response to my question.
I thought there might be a greater reaction, particularly to the point about AML having to pay millions for their name to be used by an F1 team.
Do you think that Mr Stroll might have possibly now even received more sponsorship money into his racing team (post Aston Martin), than he invested into AML?
If so, think what that means, including getting an investment back in just one year.
Several sponsors have made reference to the Aston Martin image, which presumably indicates they would not be sponsors without the Aston Martin team name.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 7th February 13:59
Oops !
Mr. Stroll will be deleting a name from his Christmas card list.
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/107421/lawrence-str...
Of the ten F1 teams, only Aston Martin and Williams have failed to score any points this year.
Just two races so far, and we hope AM will achieve better results as the season progresses.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 31st March 11:36
Simpo Two said:
I don't think Aston Martin 'a vanity project by Stroll' as much as he's simply milking it dry for his own ends. The idea that AM would pay somebody to use their logo makes no sense. It's almost as if he's holding hostages.
The only glimmer of logic is that people might say 'Ooh look, there's an Aston logo on that F1 car - I'll buy an Aston then!'. Of course that backfires somewhat when they don't perform, which they aren't and were never likely to. Aston's pedigree is Le Mans, not F1. Same for Jaguar who had a similar drubbing in F1.
Am I cynical? I'd call it the cold light of reality. We live in an era of bullst and hype; the skill is in navigating it.
It will be a damn shame if this brings Aston to collapse. But then, history does repeat itself!
The only glimmer of logic is that people might say 'Ooh look, there's an Aston logo on that F1 car - I'll buy an Aston then!'. Of course that backfires somewhat when they don't perform, which they aren't and were never likely to. Aston's pedigree is Le Mans, not F1. Same for Jaguar who had a similar drubbing in F1.
Am I cynical? I'd call it the cold light of reality. We live in an era of bulls
t and hype; the skill is in navigating it.It will be a damn shame if this brings Aston to collapse. But then, history does repeat itself!
No, I don't think you are cynical. I came to that same conclusion when the long list of new sponsors started to be announced, which was immediately following the name change from Racing Point to Aston Martin. It was very clear the sponsors wanted to be associated with Aston Martin. F1 team sponsors have to pay enormous sums, so I realised that rescuing AML (with the consortium) was a clever move, because some or all of the rescue money, might be recouped from sponsors.
AML has of course been rescued many times (more than the seven, which was often mentioned by AP), but never before has there been a debt of the current magnitude. Wonder if that aspect will make a difference, if history does repeat ?
Simpo Two said:
.... Where will AM be in 10 years' time? Finances aside, I think they may be evolving themselves into a dead end. Just like TVR. Or maybe, from what I learn here, it may end up as a Mercedes with the winged logo on the back. AM instead of AMG if you like, the S-Class 'Aston Martin' version. Now you know how Lagonda fans might feel... The possibilities are many. Luckily for me the only model I want is a DB9, so I'm just a bystander not a participant!
Like you, it seems there might be quite a number VH owners, who are perfectly happy with their current Aston Martins.
Yes, what an awful possibility in 10 years time.
"Would Sir like their new Mercedes A-Class micro hatchback with AMG Line trim, or Aston Martin Line trim?
The Aston Martin version has green wheels, wings headrest embroidery and a 007 logo on the dashboard display each time you enter your electric
This is our own topic for anything Aston Martin.
(New AM F1 topics are usually moved and soon die.)
Aston Martin Poor Performance?
Phil74891 said:
Anyone on here ‘in the know’ know what’s up?
Manners79 said:
I don’t have any inside knowledge at all but it looks to me like they just got the interpretation of the rules wrong. They’re legal but simply didn’t see how to optimise the rules. Question is do they have the people, resources and headroom within the cost cap to sort it at all in the season or is it already time to ‘focus on next years car’. Trouble is allegedly they were one of the first to do that last year and look where we are. Frankly the current performance is embarrassing…hope the perception doesn’t colour the wider view of the road cars.
Import said:
Certainly a pretty poor start to the season..can only keep my fingers crossed for updates and improvements…
2022 Australian GP.
1:19 = Front of grid.
1:21 = Back of grid.
Margins are so small. Just 2.5% slower than Pole Position and you find yourself last.
Even at the back, the cars are mighty fast, but seem to be considered as no good.
Force India (forerunner of Racing Point, now using the Aston Martin name), had a reputation of obtaining better results than their team size or money, was expected to achieve. Now with a much bigger number of employees and more money being spent, the results have not been as good.
Considering the many senior staff changes at AML, perhaps there is a question about how easy it is to work under the direction of Lawrence Stroll. Is he perhaps too 'hands on' ? Are the higher number of team members able to work in a well coordinated manner?
Is excessive pressure been put on individuals ?
We only see the on-track results, so what might be going on within the team, we don't know.
Another sponsor for Lawrence Stroll's F1 team.
Hugo Boss wil be dropping Formula E, to be associated with Aston Martin.
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fashion-b...
Since Fernando Alonso began his F1 career in 2001 (up to 2021), he has outperformed his team mate every season (draw in 2004 against Jarno Trulli).
This year the qualifying figures are Fernando Alonso 7 - 4 Estaban Ocon.
Race results though favour Estaban Ocon, mainly I think, because Fernando Alonso has had more bad luck with mechanical failures.
The data indicates that Fernando Alonso is still in top form.
Presume he must anticipate a performance improvement with the AM F1 car, because his present team hold 4th position in the Constructors Championship (AM F1 is second to last).
I hope AML (road cars business) will not be paying his salary.
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