With the annual Formula One summer shutdown now in effect, it's the perfect time to reflect on a momentous eight months for Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team.
From the most anticipated Formula One team and car launch for many years, to Aston Martin's first World Championship podium, it's been a whirlwind journey.
Now, with the championship on hiatus until the Belgian Grand Prix on August 29, we're bringing you our top 10 moments of our 2021 season so far.
The long-awaited moment: Our return
On March 3, Aston Martin officially began its Formula One comeback, reaching millions of fans, media and casual observers around the globe with perhaps the most anticipated launch in recent history.
In doing so, the team was determined to pay tribute to the enduring history of Aston Martin while presenting a bold future.
Presented through an interactive platform known as 'The Vault', the event built towards the launch of the AMR21: Aston Martin's first works Formula One car since 1960.
As Sebastian and Lance lifted the British flag covers off the AMR21 and revealed it to the world, Aston Martin had truly returned to Formula One.
Gemma Arterton hosted the likes of Lawrence Stroll, Otmar Szafnauer, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in a Q&A, while stars such as Daniel Craig and Tom Brady played their part from afar. While the relentless pace of Formula One meant the car was on track just 24 hours later, we were also able to bring our fans into the heart of the story, going behind the scenes to discover the dedication of almost 500 people who helped bring the story to life.
Unveiling the AMR21
Earlier this year, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team revealed the AMR21 to the world in what was one of the most anticipated launches in recent Formula One history. Relive the moment we unveiled the team and car.
Hitting the track for the first time
A day after launching the AMR21 to the world, the car hit the track. And, after more than a year of preparation and development, there was a huge sense of pride throughout the team.
History was made during the Silverstone filming day, as Aston Martin returned a Formula One car to the home of British motorsport for the first time in 61 years.
Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel both drove the AMR21, sharing the allocated 100km of running on Pirelli demo tyres, and anticipation only grew for the first race of the season.
Silverstone filming day
Sixty one years after an Aston Martin Grand Prix car last competed, Lance and Sebastian both drove the AMR21 at Silverstone, making history along the way as the journey to the grid grew ever closer to the Bahrain season opener.
Aston Martin's starring role
It wasn't just Aston Martin making its return to the Formula One World Championship in Bahrain. The team was also joined by the brand-new Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car and DBX Medical Car.
The striking combination has been seen across multiple Grands Prix this year, and Formula One has provided Aston Martin with a further platform as it strides forward with Project Horizon: a wider portfolio, V8 mid-engined supercars and full electrification beyond 2025.
Inspired by Formula One and harnessing the expertise of the team, Aston Martin has also launched the futuristic Valhalla and the ultimate hypercar racer, the Valkyrie AMR Pro.
Aston Martin launches Safety Car
For the first time in the history of Formula One, the Official Safety and Medical cars bear the famous wings of Aston Martin. Get up close with the performance and safety advances that make the Vantage and DBX the perfect fit for supporting Grand Prix racing.
History made in Baku
Coming into the 2021 season, Aston Martin had never scored a World Championship podium. A thrilling, topsy-turvy Azerbaijan Grand Prix changed that.
Sebastian and the team had spent the early stages of the season becoming more and more familiar with each other and, while top results were yet to regularly materialise, the potential was clear.
The German had already demonstrated his growing comfort in the AMR21 in qualifying, with only a poorly timed red flag costing him a Q3 place.
Starting 11th on the grid and with the resulting advantage of free tyre selection, Sebastian ran a strong opening stint to sit sixth on track and a net fifth due to Lance running off-strategy ahead.
A high-speed incident for Lance on the start-finish straight, through no fault of his own, led to a Safety Car, just as Sebastian was hounding the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc ahead.
As Leclerc and Gasly battled into Turn One on the restart, Sebastian struck. Gasly locked up, forcing the Ferrari driver into backing out, and the four-time World Champion moved into fifth.
Gasly, who lost time because of the lock-up, then couldn't prevent Sebastian from slipstreaming into fourth.
Sebastian began to reel in Lewis Hamilton and, as a crash for Max Verstappen brought out the red flag once more, the sole remaining Aston Martin driver was lifted into the podium places.
When his Mercedes rival locked up at Turn One on the restart, Sebastian pounced for second and held firm in a two-lap sprint to the flag to seal the result.
History made. Aston Martin on a World Championship podium for the first time.
Relive Sebastian's podium
Relive Sebastian Vettel's charge to Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team's first podium in a thrilling and dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
2022 F1 car in Aston Martin Racing Green
Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Formula One unveiled its most in-depth look at the next generation of cars, set to compete in 2022.
The cars are designed to create more exciting racing, with close attention paid to advanced aerodynamics, despite a sleeker and more simplistic design.
The team began working on its 2022 car early in 2021 and has continued to develop its challenger alongside the current development of the AMR21.
While it was not our own 2022 car, we were able to demonstrate how the Aston Martin design could look next year as Formula One's new era draws closer.
2022 F1 car in Aston Martin Racing Green
Formula One unveiled the 2022 car at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix. Here is an exclusive look at how our livery would look on the next generation of Grand Prix racers.
Charging to the V10-R League Final
Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team made the perfect start to its 2021 campaign in the V10-R League, as Lucas Blakeley, Daniele Haddad and Shanaka Clay surged to the final.
Defeating the likes of Williams and McLaren and going toe-to-toe with heavyweights Red Bull and Team Redline, the trio kickstarted the new era by excelling in their second attempt on the competition.
A narrow defeat to BMW in the final put an end to a strong run, but we enter Aston Martin's first F1 Esports Pro Series campaign in a good form.
V10-R League ends in dramatic finale
Lucas Blakeley, Daniele Haddad and Shanaka Clay go head to head with BMW in a title fight that went down to the wire at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Lance vs. Seb
Launched at the beginning of the season, Lance vs Seb has thrown up close competition off track as the two drivers battled it out in the series.
From Sebastian's surprise drawing skills to both drivers struggling to understand table football, the series has demonstrated the team spirit within Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team and provided plenty of laughs along the way.
Blindfold backpack battle in Baku
In this episode of Lance vs Seb, Lance and Sebastian go head-to-head in the Blindfold Backpack Battle in Baku. Keep an eye out for Sebastian's new look...
Sebastian's platform for change
Throughout 2021, Sebastian has used his platform to raise awareness of environmental and societal issues while actively contributing to change.
From in-depth discussions about his beliefs and educational initiatives to direct action such as litter picking at the British Grand Prix, Sebastian has helped shine a light on issues close to his heart.
"I just think there are some topics that you can't afford to duck anymore, especially in sports," said Sebastian, earlier this year.
And he's been true to his word every step of the way, helping to inspire others to do their part.
Formula One can encourage societal change
Sebastian believes both his and Formula One’s powerful platform can help drive positive change in society. He sat down with Lee McKenzie to discuss his desire to see the championship maximise its platform, and what we can all do to play our part.
Fans at the heart of the story: I / AM GBR
When the team launched back in March, we made a commitment to our fans: promising to bring them into the heart of the journey and to champion their passion and creativity at every step.
Through behind-the-scenes INSIDER episodes, heartfelt VOICES interviews and the I / AM platform, we've been delighted to shine a spotlight on the passion and hidden narratives that underpin Formula One. But at Silverstone, we made you, the fans, the heart of our story. We invited I / AM members to join us on the lawn of our factory to celebrate British talent and creativity in an unforgettable experience.
I / AM is just getting started. You. Us. Together. Collectively we can do something amazing in this team, this sport, and beyond. All in. All welcome. All celebrated. Bring your thing.
Celebrating the British GP with I / AM members
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team was delighted to offer an exclusive I / AM member event for select fans at the British Grand Prix. Go inside the event with our exclusive imagery from the day.
Your support
The passion and support from our fans help drive us forward and our I / AM membership has enabled us to give our fanbase a platform for their talents to shine.
Whether it was Réka's incredible artwork of Lance that led to an unforgettable Hungarian Grand Prix, or local fans taking to the spotlight and using #IAMSTORIES to share their Formula One story, you have all become part of Aston Martin's story.
As we continue to evolve, we're committed to placing you at the heart of everything we do.
With Formula One in hibernation, we want to hear from you. What has been your favourite moment of the 2021 season to date? Use the hashtag #IAM on social to let us know.
Thank you for your support. We'll see you after the summer break.
All in. All welcome. All celebrated. Sign up to open up a world of I / AM benefits and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
