Aston Martin to reveal livery in February ahead of writing 'new page in history books'

Aston Martin

Aston Martin to reveal livery in February ahead of writing 'new page in history books'

Team set to be in British racing green

Ian Parkes

Monday 4 January 2021 14:45 Updated: 15:17

Aston Martin will unveil its 2021 car and livery in February as it marks its return to Formula 1 for the first time in 61 years.

The team formerly known as Racing Point completed a handover rebrand on January 1, unveiling itself on social media - 'New year, new me. #IAMF1' - and with a website all ready for a rollout.

There are obvious hints as to the expected colour scheme given the flashes of racing green paint with hints of yellow but with full details not due for another few weeks.

While the car will then make its debut in pre-season testing in early March, it will have to wait for its racing return until the final weekend of that month in Bahrain, with the season-opening race in Australia set to be postponed.

Lawrence Stroll, who has resurrected the name of Aston Martin in F1 after he and his consortium purchased Racing Point in August 2019 and then a major stake in the car company a year ago, recognises the power of F1 to the brand.

“Formula One 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," said Stroll.

"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 One and the sport itself.”

The February unveiling will be done by Lance Stroll and its new driver in four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel who was signed in favour of Sergio Perez, who has switched to Red Bull for the coming season.

In a teaser for the launch, the team has teased its colour scheme.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said: “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 F1 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”

Aston Martin's last foray into F1 was a shortlived affair that spanned just five grands prix across two seasons in 1959 and 1960, and without scoring a point.