Vettel reveals Bond girl inspiration for new car name

Sebastian Vettel has revealed he has named his new Aston Martin 'Honey Ryder', after the Bond girl from the first James Bond movie Dr No.

The team, formerly Racing Point, has been playing on Aston Martin’s connections to the James Bond movies since last season’s announcement that the brand would return to the sport this year.

So it is no surprise that Vettel, who has publicly named his F1 cars ever since 2008, followed the trend for this year’s machine - but with more than 75 different characters there were plenty to choose from.

Explaining why Honey Ryder, played by Ursula Andress in 1962, got the nod Vettel told Formula1.com: “It’s the first of its kind, a new story, so we thought it’s a good one.”

The new AMR21 was launched online earlier this month by former Bond girl Gemma Arterton, who played ‘Strawberry Fields’ in the movie Quantum of Solace. Current Bond actor Daniel Craig sent his congratulations in a video message.

The fictional British spy was back on the agenda at Aston Martin’s pre-race press conference in Bahrain, where Vettel added to his favourite Bond girl pick by revealing the names of his favourite Bond car, actor and movie.

“I think the DB5 is the most iconic [Bond] car,” he said. “It is a very cool car and it is nice that it came back some years ago. [My] favourite Bond, I think, is Sean Connery and, to be fair, Pierce Brosnan because that’s my youth.

“Sean Connery I think just had very good style. And which movie? I quite like the first one that kicked it off, obviously because of Honey Ryder.”

Sebastian Vettel’s car names

2021 Honey Ryder – Aston Martin AMR21 2020 Lucilla – Ferrari SF1000 2019 Lina - Ferrari SF90 2018 Loria - Ferrari SF71H 2017 Gina - Ferrari SF70H 2016 Margherita - Ferrari SF16-H 2015 Eva - Ferrari SF15-T 2014 Suzie - Red Bull RB10 2013 Hungry Heidi - Red Bull RB9 2012 Abbey - Red Bull RB8 2011 Kinky Kylie - Red Bull RB7 2010 Luscious Liz/Randy Mandy - Red Bull RB6 2009 Kate/Kate’s Dirty Sister - Red Bull RB5 2008 Julie - Toro Rosso STR3

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