Otmar Szafnauer, team principal of the newly rebranded Aston Martin Racing Formula 1 team, formerly Racing Point, says the team has found “extra energy” and “determination” to do better than ever.
The team officially became Aston Martin on January 1st and will compete under the iconic brand in F1 this year following Lawrence Stroll’s recent takeover of the British marque.
Szafnauer says the whole team feel privileged to be representing the Aston Martin name and he feels as though there’s extra motivation to succeed and do the name proud.
“We’ve had almost a year of preparation to reach this point and we’re really looking forward to seeing the reaction when we finally unveil our new identity as the Aston Martin Formula One Team.
“Representing such an iconic brand is a huge privilege for every member of the team. We’ve earned a well-deserved reputation for punching above our weight, so we’re confident we can do the Aston Martin name proud right from the get-go.
“It’s the start of a new journey and I can sense an extra energy in the team, with a determination to push performance further than ever before.
“Combined with some of the most creative minds in the business, a true racers’ mentality and the can-do spirit that has served us so well through the years, we have every reason to be excited about the future.”
The team will unveil its new car in February, which will be driven by four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and multiple podium finisher Lance Stroll.
Lawrence Stroll is confident the marque’s involvement in F1 will help to “reignite” the brand which has suffered in recent years with under investment and falling sales.
“Formula 1 is a hugely powerful platform that will play a key part in the overall Aston Martin strategy as we seek to take the company forward. It is a truly global sport with a huge audience that we believe can help reignite the brand and further increase its desirability all over the world.
“This is a brand that has already had huge success in top-level international motorsport such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and now we have an opportunity to write a new page in the history books. That’s a hugely exciting prospect for anyone who is a lover of the Aston Martin brand, for fans of Formula 1 and the sport itself.”
