Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll (left) and Sebastian Vettel with the teams 2022 challenger the AMR22. PHOTO: Aston Martin

BRENDAN LINES FEBRUARY 11, 2022

ASTON Martin was the first Formula 1 team to reveal a real version of its 2022 challenger — the AMR22 — off its Graydon assembly line on Friday.

The launch of the AMR22 was a significant step for the factory team entering its second season, its first interpretation of Formula 1’s new regulations and marking the British manufacturer’s centenary of its maiden Grand Prix at the 1922 French Grand Prix.

Aside from carrying a new and much brighter Aston Martin Racing Green livery, the car’s noticeable elongated side pod concept, is a clear departure from the ‘coke bottle’ design, which has become a standard in recent years.

The addition of gill-like slots along the length of side pod’s top is another new design unseen in recent iterations of Formula 1 cars.

But that is just one in a raft of visible cues laden across the AMR22 chassis design, which performance director Tom McCullough said “was a clean sheet of paper in so many areas”.

“But this launch car will change quickly,” he said.

Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said last year was “year one” of the team’s five year plan towards re-establishing itself as a serious contender.

Stroll said a work-in-progress new factory and technology campus, due for completion next year was a “serious statement of intent” of the team’s commitment.