(Motorsport) Formula 1 team Aston Martin has revealed the 2022 car as the team aims to progress higher up the pecking order in the new season. The new challenger, called AMR22 was launched at Aston Martin’s Gaydon base with both drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll present at the unveiling of the classic but updated green livery of the 2022 car. The AMR22 also features splashes of lime green which have replaced the pink from the 2021 car. The British manufacturers are the third team in the Formula 1 grid to launch their new car and it is believed that the AMR22 is the closest to the final product that has been revealed to the public so far. 

The AMR22 has been built in accordance with the new technical regulations which are aimed at improving wheel to wheel racing and Aston Martin will hope that the 2022 challenger will fare better than the disappointing seventh place finish last year. Aston Martin have undergone a major change behind the scenes with former team boss Otmar Szafnauer being replaced by Mike Krack who has previously worked with BMW and Porsche. Team owner Lawrence Stroll said “We are continuing our journey to the summit of Formula 1 and we want to win. But we know that winning isn't easy, and that's why we have a five-year plan to keep climbing and to get to the top." 

Four time World Champion Sebastian Vettel said “Look at that car, who wouldn't feel excited about the prospect of racing that? And when it comes to hopes for the season, I do not think anyone really knows what to expect. There are new rules and of course all the teams will be hoping that they have got it right. Everyone wants to win, me included, and no one would be in Formula 1 if their dream was not to win. I am no different. The main thing is to keep moving forward and moving up. This is only year two of a five-year plan, so we are still quite near the start. But this team has big ambitions and big plans, and I am hugely excited to be a part of that.

“It's a complete reset,” added Vettel. “We'll see how good we are.The rules were made to bring the cars together, to allow overtaking, and there are a lot of question marks over whether that will go as planned, or not. We'll see what the spread will be like between the cars. But it's a very different season for all those reasons and also, we'll be able to develop through the season. I've had such a great past so far with so many great cars and great seasons and a lot of highlights and I'm hooked to that, I'm here to win. Last year was very tough because we weren't really in the mix, we weren't fighting for something really meaningful and for sure it's not a secret to say out loud, I'm motivated by winning. I've won a lot in the past and that's what I'm here for."

Aston Martin have returned to Formula 1 after a 60 year break but the team was formerly known as Force India and was subsequently renamed to Racing Point after a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll but the team. Expectations are higher than ever with the Aston Martin brand being associated with the team and while the team has already indicated that progress will be measured with a long-term outlook, the main aim will be to compete alongside the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes. Aston Martin technical chief Andrew Green said “This is the first iteration. We're on a steep learning curve and everyone's on a steep learning curve – no one's going to have all the answers yet. I think we're going to see this car develop highly over the coming season."

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