French Grand Prix Debut 1959
Aston Martin's green-and-pink return to Formula One.
The Aston Martin AMR21 is a Formula One racing car designed and developed by the Aston Martin Formula One team, competing in the 2021 Formula One World Championship. It was the first car entered by the returning Aston Martin team, driven by Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.
Quick Facts
- Drivers
- Roy Salvadori, Carroll Shelby
Lore & Background
Vettel named his AMR21 'Honey Ryder' after Ursula Andress' character in the 1962 James Bond movie Dr. No. This was the last car he named before his retirement. The car was an evolution of the Racing Point RP20 used by Aston Martin's predecessor team Racing Point.
Reader's Guide
The car debuted at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, where Stroll qualified tenth and finished tenth, while Vettel qualified eighteenth and finished fifteenth after penalties. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Vettel retired with gearbox issues; Stroll finished eighth after a time penalty. Vettel scored Aston Martin's first podium with second place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, though his second-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix was disqualified due to insufficient fuel. The car ran in British racing green with a pink BWT stripe, a Union Jack livery at the British Grand Prix, and a No Time to Die promotion at the Italian Grand Prix. Racing Pride logos appeared on the car at the French Grand Prix. A modified AMR21 was used for 2022 tyre testing after Abu Dhabi, and later ran in private tests for Felipe Drugovich, Jessica Hawkins, and Luke Browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes the French Grand Prix Debut 1959?
This event signifies Aston Martin's initial attempt to compete in a Formula One World Championship race following David Brown's acquisition of the company. It is recorded as their historic debut at the highest level of motorsport during that era.
Where and when did this milestone occur?
The race took place at the Reims-Gueux Circuit in France during 1959, marking a specific milestone in the team's racing calendar. This location served as the backdrop for their re-entry into Grand Prix competition after years away from the sport.
Who drove for Aston Martin during this debut?
Roy Salvadori and Lance Reventlow were the drivers assigned to pilot the DBR4/2000 chassis during this significant occasion. Their participation highlighted the team's commitment to utilizing their sports car engineering for open-wheel racing.
How does this debut conclude in terms of legacy?
While brief, this appearance established a foundational record in Aston Martin's motorsport history before their modern return decades later. Fans regard it as a pivotal chapter that bridges their classic sports car legacy with Formula One ambitions.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in Aston Martin F1
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced