Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll gave Aston Martin’s 2021 car, the AMR21, its first shakedown on Thursday at Silverstone.
The pair split the allocated 100 kilometre of running on Pirelli prototype tyres, and they will next drive the car in pre-season testing in Bahrain next week.
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The AMR21 continues to follow Mercedes’ design philosophy and the Silverstone-based team will be hoping it can dominate the midfield this upcoming season and allow them to close the gap to the front-runners.
Aston Martin unveiled their 2021 challenger on Wednesday, showing off its sleek new livery in line with the team’s rebrand.
Team owner Lawrence Stroll said they are looking to make “real progress” this season, while his son, Lance, said he is aiming for a top five finish in the 2021 Drivers’ Championship.
“I have dreamed about this day for a very long time. I have always been a car guy, since I was a child. I have always loved racing, too,” the Canadian billionaire, who also owns the Aston Martin car brand, said.
“My first dream was to own a Formula One team. My second dream was to acquire a significant shareholding in Aston Martin Lagonda.
“Today is about the merging of those two dreams. So, as I say, today is all about dreams, and it shows that dreams really can come true, in the shape of our new AMR21.
“Aston Martin returning to Formula One after an absence of 61 years will have a powerful effect on the sport, the media and the fans, commanding global attention,” he added.
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