Aston Martin to start work on new factory after land purchase

Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has confirmed the team is to begin work on its new state-of-the-art factory “imminently” following its purchase of new land.

The team had initially planned to open the new facility at Silverstone midway through this year but confirmed in July last year the target would be mid-2022 due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The current landowner, farmer Steve Tustian, confirmed the land purchase - reportedly for a multi-million-pound fee - in a statement on Friday.

Szafnauer said: “It [construction] is starting imminently. We’re going to start with preparing the groundwork, removing some of the trees and that’s starting now.

“It’s a great location. It will be closer to the Dadford Road, so you can turn in from there and you will be able to see it on your way to the Silverstone roundabout at the entrance of Silverstone.

“We always had an intention to [buy the land] and sign a contract with the farmer, which we finally completed. It was nice that the farmer made a statement.”

The team, which has origins dating back to Jordan Grand Prix, purchased the site of its original factory from the farmer in 1990.

The 29-acres of land on Litchlake Farm is located directly opposite the Silverstone circuit.

In January, Szafnauer told Formula1.com: “We are in the design phase now and all the departments are getting their input in to make sure it’s the most efficient it can be. It’s online and on target to be opened and launched in August of 2022.”