AMR GP

AMR GP
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotor racing
Founded2 August 2018; 6 years ago (2018-08-02) in the United Kingdom as Racing Point UK Limited
FounderLawrence Stroll
Headquarters
Silverstone
,
England, UK
Number of employees
800[1]

AMR GP, officially AMR GP Limited (formerly Racing Point UK Limited) is a British company that owns and operates the Aston Martin F1 Team, a Formula One racing team based in Silverstone, England. The company was established in August 2018 to buy the Formula One racing assets of the financially stricken Force India Formula One Team. Following its acquisition of the team assets just before the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, it competed in that race, and for the rest of the 2018 season, as the Racing Point Force India Formula One Team, continuing to use the constructor's title of Force India. For the 2019 season the team was renamed to Racing Point F1 Team and went onwards competing with Racing Point as its constructor's title, until the rebranding of the team into Aston Martin in 2021.

History

[edit]

Pre-Racing Point UK

[edit]

On 27 July 2018, after running Force India Formula One Team for eleven seasons, Force India Formula One Team Limited was placed into administration.[2]

By 2 August 2018 an investment consortium led by Lawrence Stroll, the father of former Williams driver Lance Stroll, and which included André Desmarais, Jonathan Dudman, John D. Idol, John McCaw Jr., Michael de Picciotto and Silas Chou, and supported by the team's senior management personnel, had set up a new company, Racing Point UK Limited, to use as a vehicle to save the team.[3] By 23 August 2018, the new company had reached an agreement with the administrators to buy the team's motor racing assets and to secure the jobs of the 400 employees who worked in the team.[2][4] The new company created a new constructor with the assets and entered the sport prior to the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, taking the vacated entry of the original Force India team.[5]

The personnel roles remained largely unchanged in the new team, other than that of Robert Fernley, who stood down from his Force India role of deputy team principal, and Otmar Szafnauer who became team principal and CEO after being chief operating officer with Force India since 2010.[6]

Racing Point Force India F1 Team (2018)

[edit]
Main article: Racing Point Force India

On 23 August 2018, the F1 governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) reached an agreement with Racing Point UK that they could take over the Force India 2018 season championship entry, but they would not inherit any of Force India's 59 points or the prize money that they had accrued so far in the season.[2] So, as the Racing Point Force India Formula One Team and using the constructor name Force India, the team entered its first Grand Prix, the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix which took place on 26 August 2018, with zero points.[2]

The original Force India's two drivers, Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon, remained with the team and were able to continue their challenge for the drivers' championship, keeping all the points that they had already won in the season.[7][8]

The Racing Point Force India Formula One Team competed in the last nine Grands Prix of the season, amassing 52 points, and finishing seventh overall in the 2018 constructors' championship.

Racing Point F1 Team (2019–2020)

[edit]
Main article: Racing Point F1 Team
Sergio Pérez at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix

In November 2018, the company changed the name of its team to Racing Point F1 Team and the constructor name to Racing Point when it registered its 2019 entries with the FIA.[9] SportPesa became the team's title sponsor,[10] and Esteban Ocon was replaced by Lance Stroll in the team's driver lineup.[11] In 2020, BWT became the new title sponsor of the team.[12][13] At the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Pérez gave Racing Point their first win as a constructor and as a legal entity while Stroll also finished on the podium with his 3rd-place finish.[14][15] This was the first time any incarnation of the team had won a race since Jordan won the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix.[16] It was the fifth Grand Prix victory for any incarnation of the team.[17]

Aston Martin F1 Team (2021–)

[edit]
Main article: Aston Martin in Formula One
The AMR21 during the 2021 British Grand Prix, driven by Sebastian Vettel

Racing Point UK was renamed AMR GP and entered into the 2021 F1 season through its operation of Aston Martin's Formula One team with Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll as their drivers.[18] Vettel replaced Sergio Pérez in the team's driver lineup.[19][20] As part of the rebrand, the team switched their racing colour of BWT pink to a modern iteration of Aston Martin's British racing green.[21][22] The Aston Martin AMR21 was unveiled in March 2021 and became Aston Martin's first Formula One car after a 61-year absence from the sport.[23][24][25] Vettel earned Aston Martin's first podium by finishing second in the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.[26][27]

In January 2022, Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer left after having spent 12 years with the team.[28][29][30] Mike Krack, who had previously worked on BMW and Porsche motorsport teams, was announced as his replacement in the same month.[31][32] Vettel retired following the conclusion of the 2022 season.[33][34] Fernando Alonso, a former two-time World Champion, is his replacement for 2023 on a multi-year contract.[35] Cognizant became the team's title sponsor in 2021,[36][37] and Aramco became a joint title sponsor in 2022.[38][39] In December 2023, Aramco signed a new five-year agreement to become an exclusive title sponsor for the team, while Cognizant would remain as a strategic partner.[40][41]

Aston Martin have a new 37,000 m2 (400,000 sq ft) factory at their Silverstone base. Construction began in September 2021.[42][43][44] The factory features three interconnected buildings and is based in a 40-acre (16 ha) site directly opposite the Silverstone circuit.[45] Building One will serve as the main building housing the team's design, manufacturing, and marketing resources. Building Two will redevelop and repurpose the original factory premises as a central hub with staff amenities and will also serve as a logistics centre. Building Two is set to house the team's wellness centre, auditorium, simulator and heritage facility, while Building Three will contain the new wind tunnel.[46][47][48]

By March 2023, the number of staff had grown from 400 to 800.[49] In November 2023, private equity firm Arctos Partners acquired a minority stake valued at about £1 billion.[50][51][52] Adrian Newey, who left Red Bull Racing in May 2024, is due to join Aston Martin on 1 March 2025, in time for the 2026 regulations. Newey also became a major shareholder of Aston Martin.[53][54]

Results

[edit]

Formula One

[edit]
Year Name Car Engine Tyres No. Drivers Points WCC
Force India
2018 United Kingdom Racing Point Force India F1 Team VJM11 Mercedes-AMG F1 M09 EQ Power+ 1.6 V6 t P 11.
31. 		Mexico Sergio Pérez
France Esteban Ocon 		52 7th
Racing Point
2019 United Kingdom SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team RP19 BWT Mercedes 1.6 V6 t P 11.
18. 		Mexico Sergio Pérez
Canada Lance Stroll 		73 7th
2020 United Kingdom BWT Racing Point F1 Team RP20 BWT Mercedes 1.6 V6 t P 11.
18.
27. 		Mexico Sergio Pérez
Canada Lance Stroll
Germany Nico Hülkenberg 		195 4th
Aston Martin
2021 United Kingdom Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team AMR21 Mercedes-AMG F1 M12 E Performance 1.6 V6 t P 5.
18. 		Germany Sebastian Vettel
Canada Lance Stroll 		77 7th
2022 United Kingdom Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team AMR22 Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 E Performance 1.6 V6 t P 5.
18.
27. 		Germany Sebastian Vettel
Canada Lance Stroll
Germany Nico Hülkenberg 		55 7th
2023 United Kingdom Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team AMR23 Mercedes-AMG F1 M14 E Performance 1.6 V6 t P 14.
18. 		Spain Fernando Alonso
Canada Lance Stroll 		280 5th
2024 United Kingdom Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team AMR24 Mercedes F1 M15 E Performance 1.6 V6 t P 14.
18. 		Spain Fernando Alonso
Canada Lance Stroll 		86* 5th*

* Season still in progress.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso targets success with new team". BBC Sport. 13 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "FIA Approves Mid-Season Entry from Racing Point Force India". FIA. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Racing Point UK Limited acquires Force India Formula One Team | Force India F1". Force India F1. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  4. ^ Brooks, Roddy (8 August 2018). "Lance Stroll's father agrees Force India takeover deal to save all 405 jobs". Independent. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  5. ^ Cooper, Adam (24 August 2018). "How the FIA used little-known Formula 1 rules to save Force India". Autosport. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  6. ^ Petters, Sam (24 August 2018). "Racing Point UK acquires Force India Formula One Team". Professional Motorsport World. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  7. ^ "FIA approve Racing Point Force India F1 entry". F1. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  8. ^ Baldwin, Alan (23 August 2018). "Motor racing-Renamed Force India to start from scratch in Belgium". Reuters. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  9. ^ Staff writer (1 December 2018). "Force India name to disappear from 2019 grid after Racing Point F1 rebrand as driver numbers unveiled". Independent. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Racing Point Formula 1 team unveils 2019 livery and title sponsor". Autosport. 13 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Stroll's Force India confirmation completes 2019 grid". Formula 1. 30 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Racing Point debuts 2020 livery, names BWT as title sponsor". Motorsport.com. 17 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Racing Point launches the RP20 and BWT as new title sponsor". Motor Sport Magazine. 17 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Sergio Perez takes sensational maiden win in Sakhir GP as tyre mix-up ruins Russell's charge". Formula 1. 6 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Sergio Pérez wins Sakhir F1 GP after pit error robs George Russell". The Guardian. 6 December 2020.
  16. ^ Takle, Abhishek (6 December 2020). "Perez takes maiden F1 win in Sakhir after heartbreak for super-sub Russell". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  17. ^ Beer, Matt; Freeman, Glenn (8 December 2020). "All five 'Jordan' F1 wins ranked". The Race. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  18. ^ "AMR GP LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
  19. ^ "Vettel to make sensational Racing Point switch in 2021 as they re-brand as Aston Martin". Formula 1. 10 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Sebastian Vettel joining Aston Martin for F1 2021 replacing Sergio Perez". Sky Sports. 10 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Aston Martin reveal new title partners ahead of F1 return". Formula 1. 7 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Aston Martin ditches pink F1 livery with new title sponsorship". Autosport. 7 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Aston Martin are back: See the first pictures and video of Vettel and Stroll's 2021 F1 car". Formula 1. 3 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Aston Martin launches first F1 car in over 60 years". CNBC. 3 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Aston Martin licensed to thrill in Formula 1 return as 2021 car revealed with historic green livery". Sky Sports. 3 March 2021.
  26. ^ Valantine, Henry (6 June 2021). "Sebastian Vettel 'over the moon' with first Aston Martin podium in Baku". Planet F1. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Vettel 'over the moon' with maiden Aston Martin podium after 'very rough' start of the season". Formula 1. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Aston Martin announce departure of Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer | Formula 1". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Otmar Szafnauer: Aston Martin Formula One CEO and team principal departs". Sky Sports. 5 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Otmar Szafnauer: Aston Martin Formula One team principal leaves". BBC Sport. 5 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Aston Martin appoint Mike Krack as team principal". BBC Sport. 14 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Aston Martin hire Mike Krack as new Formula 1 team principal to replace Otmar Szafnauer". Sky Sports. 14 January 2022.
  33. ^ "BREAKING: Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season". Formula 1. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Vettel urges fellow drivers to continue his legacy after retiring from F1 with points finish in Abu Dhabi". Formula 1. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  35. ^ "BREAKING: Fernando Alonso signs to Aston Martin for 2023 on multi-year contract". Formula 1. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  36. ^ "Cognizant take title sponsorship of Aston Martin F1 team". Reuters. 7 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Aston Martin reveal title sponsor for F1 2021 season, tease green car". Sky Sports. 7 January 2021.
  38. ^ "Aston Martin Formula 1 team partners with oil giant Aramco". Autocar. 3 February 2022.
  39. ^ "Aston Martin F1 team seals Aramco sponsorship deal". Motorsport.com. 4 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Aramco becomes Aston Martin's sole F1 title sponsor". Reuters. 14 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Aramco becomes Aston Martin's sole F1 title sponsor". The Straits Times. 14 December 2023.
  42. ^ Agini, Samuel (14 September 2021). "Aston Martin pumps £200m into new campus for Formula One success". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  43. ^ "Aston Martin start work on new F1 factory and wind tunnel campus at Silverstone base". Formula 1. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  44. ^ "'We'll Be Aston Martin Forever' – Full Factory Plan Revealed". The Race. 14 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Behind the scenes at Aston Martin as their 'game changer' factory takes shape". Planet F1. 29 November 2022.
  46. ^ "Aston Martin's Best-In-F1 Target For Its 'Game-Changer' Factory". The Race. 29 November 2022.
  47. ^ "How Aston Martin plans to become a championship challenger". ESPN. 29 November 2022.
  48. ^ "First Look Inside Aston Martin's New 'Game-Changer' F1 Facility". Autoweek. 29 November 2022.
  49. ^ "How Aston Martin eclipsed Mercedes and Ferrari after Fernando Alonso's podium in Bahrain". The Independent. 6 March 2023.
  50. ^ "Arctos invests in Aston Martin F1 team at £1bn valuation". Financial Times. 17 November 2023.
  51. ^ "Aston Martin F1 team gets investment from PE firm Arctos". Reuters. 17 November 2023.
  52. ^ "Aston Martin F1 team sells stake to private equity firm at $1bn valuation". Motorsport.com. 17 November 2023.
  53. ^ "Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin as Silverstone squad win race to sign F1 design guru". Formula 1. 10 September 2024.
  54. ^ "F1 design great Newey joins Aston Martin". BBC Sport. 10 September 2024.
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