Aston Martin AMR22 explained

Aston Martin AMR22
Electric Motor:Mercedes-AMG
Kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
Fuel:E10[1]
Fastest Laps:0
Gears:8-speed + 1 reverse
Engine Position:Mid mounted
Category:Formula One
Constructor:Aston Martin
Designer:Andrew Green (Chief Technical Officer)
Akio Haga (Chief Designer)
Ian Hall (Chief Designer)
Ian Grieg (Head of Aerodynamic Development)
Predecessor:Aston Martin AMR21
Successor:Aston Martin AMR23
Team:Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team
Turbo/Na:turbocharged, 15,000 RPM limited
Front Suspension:Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Rear Suspension:Carbon fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Engine Name:Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 E Performance
Capacity:1.6L
Configuration:V6 (90°)
Debut:2022 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last Event:2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races:22
Wins:0
Podiums:0
Poles:0

The Aston Martin AMR22 is a Formula One racing car designed and developed by the Aston Martin F1 team to compete in the 2022 Formula One World Championship.

Drivers

For 2022, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll were both retained as race team drivers.[2] Nico Hülkenberg was announced as reserve driver.[3]

Ordinarily, Vettel names his Formula One cars. However, with the AMR22 this is not the case.[4]

Design and development

The AMR22 is the first car that has been overseen by new team principal, Mike Krack formerly of BMW Motorsport who replaced Otmar Szafnauer who joined Alpine.[5] [6] Dan Fallows joined the development team in April 2022, leaving Red Bull Racing to become Aston Martin's technical director.[7] The AMR22 was first fired up on 4 February ahead of a launch on 10 February at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, United Kingdom.[8] [9] The following day, drivers Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll completed a shakedown at Silverstone Circuit.[10]

Upon launch, it was noted that the AMR22 was a wide body, using the full width of the available floor. The sidepod radiators had a deep cut, and the AMR22 featured a double floor design. The engine was mounted towards the back, as noted by the plenum blister, which suggested the AMR22 had a small gearbox. The AMR22 had cooling vents along the entirety of the upper sidepod, the front openings of which were small boxes compared to previous cars.[11] [12] The AMR22 was part of the official pre season test in Bahrain, where 339 laps were completed at a fastest time of 1.33.821 (Vettel).[13] [14] At the second test in Barcelona both Vettel and Stroll performed the testing duties again, and managed a combined total of 296 laps.[15]

At the Spanish Grand Prix, the AMR22 was significantly updated and changed. It was similar in design to the Red Bull, which was investigated by the FIA who confirmed the upgrades were legitimate.[16] In a later interview, Andrew Green confirmed that the team had been working on two differing designs for the AMR22 over a six-month period.[17] [18] [19] In June, driver Lance Stroll confirmed that there were further developments planned for the AMR22.[20]

Racing performance

Prior to the opening round of the season, Sebastian Vettel was replaced for the race by Nico Hülkenberg due his contraction of Covid-19.[21] At the first race, neither car finished in the points scoring positions. At the second round in Saudi Arabia, both cars finished the race but again, neither scored points.[22] Vettel returned for the Australian Grand Prix, but retired from the race.[23]

The AMR22 scored its first points at the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with an 8th and 10th-place finish.[24] Stroll scored 10th place and a single point at the Miami Grand Prix and his home race in Canada, whilst Vettel secured three points finishes at Monaco, Azerbaijan and Britain. To celebrate Aston Martin's 100 years in motor racing, the AMR22 featured the marque's historic badge on its nosecone for the French Grand Prix.[25] In the race, Stroll scored the team's first point since Silverstone, after a close last lap battle with teammate Vettel.[26] The team secured its second double points score at the Singapore Grand Prix, with Stroll in 6th and Vettel in 8th. Vettel and Stroll's 6th-place finishes in Baku, Singapore and Japan are the AMR22's best results to date.[27] Unfortunately, the team would finish in 7th place in the constructors' standings with Alfa Romeo finishing 6th on countback.

In late July, Vettel announced he would be retiring from Formula One at the end of the season. This means the AMR22 would be the final car driven competitively by the four time world champion.[28]

Sponsorship

The AMR22 once again featured title sponsorship and branding from Cognizant. Aramco and Crypto.com both joined the team as senior partners with branding across the vehicle, and Aramco joining the team's official name.[29] [30] [31] [32]

Complete Formula One results

YearEntrantPower unitTyresDriver nameGrands PrixPoints
BHRSAUAUSEMIMIAESPMONAZECANGBRAUTFRAHUNBELNEDITASINJPNUSAMXCSAPABU
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 TeamMercedes-AMG F1 M13 Lance Stroll557th
Sebastian Vettel
Nico Hülkenberg
Reference:[33] [34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet the 2022 F1 car. CAR Magazine.
  2. Web site: Vettel and Stroll to remain with Aston Martin for 2022. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  3. Web site: Aston Martin sign last year's super-sub Nico Hulkenberg as reserve driver for 2021. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  4. Web site: Heineken Australian Grand Prix FIA Driver Press Conference. pitpass. 12 July 2022.
  5. Web site: Szafnauer named Alpine Team Principal as Rossi confirms new structure. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  6. Web site: Mike Krack joins AMCF1 as Team Principal. Aston martin. 12 July 2022.
  7. Web site: Dan Fallows To Join Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team. Oracle Red Bull Racing. 12 July 2022.
  8. Web site: Aston Martin complete fire-up of all-new AMR22. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  9. Web site: AMF1 launches AMR22 at Aston Martin HQ. Aston Martin. 12 July 2022.
  10. Web site: First pictures: New Aston Martin AMR22 makes track debut in Silverstone shakedown. 11 February 2022 . racefans.net. 12 July 2022.
  11. Web site: ANALYSIS: The intriguing design features on Aston Martin's new AMR22. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  12. Web site: The key features of Aston Martin's 2022 F1 car. Autosport. 12 July 2022.
  13. Web site: How all 10 teams fared in Bahrain's Official Pre-Season Test. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  14. Web site: Aston Martin Complete Pre-Season Programmes as Planned. 13 March 2022 . thecheckeredflag.co.uk. 12 July 2022.
  15. Web site: 2022 F1 pre-season testing, Barcelona – Combined results. 26 February 2022 . crash.net. 12 July 2022.
  16. Web site: The key upgrades that have got everyone talking in Spain – including Aston Martin's dramatically updated AMR22. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  17. Web site: ASTON MARTIN'S EXPLANATION FOR DEVELOPING TWO F1 CARS AT ONCE. 25 May 2022 . The Race. 12 July 2022.
  18. Web site: Aston Martin appears in Barcelona with 'copy of Red Bull RB18' . 2022-05-20 . www.gpblog.com . en.
  19. Web site: Aston Martin reveals 'Green Red Bull' overhaul ahead of F1 Spanish GP . 2022-05-20 . www.autosport.com . en.
  20. Web site: Stroll: 'More opportunities to develop with the new car'. 2 June 2022 . PlanetF1. 12 July 2022.
  21. Web site: Sebastian Vettel to be replaced by Nico Hülkenberg for the 2022 Bahrain GP after positive Covid-19 test. 2022-06-04 . formula1.com.
  22. Web site: FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2022 – RACE RESULT. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  23. Web site: Vettel: 2022 F1 season can't get any worse after Australian GP crash. Autosport. 12 July 2022.
  24. Web site: Vettel hails 'unbelievable race' in Imola as he and Stroll claim Aston Martin's first points of 2022. Formula 1. 12 July 2022.
  25. Web site: Sebastian Vettel To Drive Aston Martin Grand Prix Racer From 1922 In France This Weekend. Car Scoops. 15 July 2022.
  26. Web site: Vettel saw no need to fight Stroll over one point. Planet F1. 15 July 2022.
  27. Web site: Vettel thinks P5 battle was on but for Ocon run-off. 12 June 2022 . PlanetF1. 12 July 2022.
  28. Web site: Sebastian Vettel to retire from F1 at the end of the 2022 season. Aston Martin. 15 July 2022.
  29. Web site: The Aramco and Aston Martin Racing strategic partnership. Aramco. 12 July 2022.
  30. Web site: AMF1 and Aramco enter a long-term strategic partnership. Aston Martin. 12 July 2022.
  31. Web site: Cryptocurrency Is Expanding Its Presence In Formula One With A $100 Million Deal. Forbes. 12 July 2022.
  32. Web site: Aston Martin F1 pen deal with Crypto.com. SportsPro. 12 July 2022.
  33. Web site: 2022 Constructor Standings. Formula1.com. 20 March 2022. 2022-03-21.
  34. Web site: Aston Martin AMR22. StatsF1. 20 March 2022. 2022-03-23.