Aston Martin AM22 car launch LIVE: Latest F1 news as Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll reveal new car

Aston Martin are launching their new AMR22 car today ahead of the new F1 season. The team are being led into the sport’s new era by owner Lawrence Stroll and hope that their preparation for the new regulations stands them in good stead to climb higher than their seventh placed finish in the constructors’ championship last season. Four-time world champion will partner Stroll’s son Lance for a second successive season and they will be on hand at the presentation at the team’s UK headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Yesterday Red Bull revealed their new car, the RB18, and Christian Horner was bullish about their machine. “It has been a huge effort from the team and I’m looking forward to seeing it out on the track now,” said team principal Horner. “Our challenge is now to build on 2021 – now we have the No 1 on the car it’s to keep it on the car and the new set of regulations will be incredibly difficult. We have massive competition out there, but motivation is sky high and we are riding on the crest of a wave from last year.”

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton is back, for now, with the seven-time world champion returning to the Mercedes factory ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season after weeks of uncertainty surrounding a commitment to seek redemption. Follow all the live updates from the world of F1, including reaction and analysis to the new season:

F1 news

• Aston Martin to launch new AM22 car today

• Red Bull revealed RB18 for Max Vertsappen’s title defence

Aston Martin about to launch 2022 F1 car

13:57 , Dan Austin

We’re now just a few minutes away from the launch of Aston Martin’s new Formula 1 car for the 2022 season, the AMR22.

The team’s livery is set to undergo some significant changes, with the shade of racing green sued for the main set to be brightened to increase visibility on track. The dashes of pink will be gone, after Aston Martin’s sponsorship agreement with Austrian water company BWT expired, while blue could feature prominently in lieu of a new agreement with Saudi Arabian oil firm Aramco and a long-standing title partnership with tech firm Cognizant.

Aston Martin have promised this launch will display their ‘real’ car for the 2022, rather than a generic show car version which Red Bull and Haas are believed to have used to launch their challengers.

F1 news

13:43 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lewis Hamilton will find it difficult to continue in Formula One if his Mercedes car is not competitive next season, according to two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.

Hamilton’s future in the sport remains in doubt following the controversial end to last season which saw the 37-year-old miss out on a record-breaking eighth world championship to Max Verstappen on the final lap of the year.

With Mercedes unveiling their new car this month ahead of the first round of pre-season testing, Hamilton is still to break his silence following the end to last campaign, with his only quotes coming through a team press release.

Lewis Hamilton faces ‘emotional’ test in F1 return ‘to climb back up the mountain’

F1 news

13:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull junior driver Juri Vips has revealed that the team want him to show he is worthy of competing in Formula 1.

The Estonian racer will race in Formula 2 with the Hitech team and will look to build on his two race wins in 2021, while improving his P6 in the final Drivers’ standings.

And the 21-year-old has detailed the targets laid out to him by the Austria-based company.

“I don’t have a certain set goal from Red Bull that I have to win the title or anything. I just have to prove I am F1 worthy,” he told the Formula 2 website. “At the test, it was cool to see the difference between the two Red Bull cars, the changes and the improvements they made between the two years.

“Any day you drive an F1 car – especially a championship-winning one – is amazing. It felt very surreal because it was only a couple of days after they won the championship. It felt very special.

“Those days are very important because it is a direct communication to the team of what your performance is like.

“Of course, they can judge you in F2, but when you drive the F1 car they have the exact details and can really tell how good or bad you are.”

F1 2022 scheduled

13:00 , Lawrence Ostlere

March 20 - Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir. March 27 - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. April 10 - Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne. April 24 - Imola Grand Prix, Imola, Italy. May 8 - Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida. May 22 - Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona. May 29 - Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo. June 12 - Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku. June 19 - Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal. July 3 - British Grand Prix, Silverstone. July 10 - Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, Austria. July 24 - French Grand Prix, Le Castellet. July 31 - Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest. Aug. 28 - Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps. Sept. 4 - Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort, Netherlands. Sept. 11 - Italian Grand Prix, Monza. Sept. 25 - Russian Grand Prix, Sochi. Oct. 2 - Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore City. Oct. 9 - Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka. Oct. 23 - United States Grand Prix, Austin, Texas. Oct. 30 - Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City. Nov. 13 - Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo. Nov. 20 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

F1 news

12:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

Ferrari said on Tuesday it would partner with Qualcomm Technologies to use the San-Diego based group’s premium product, the Snapdragon chipsets, to accelerate the sports carmaker digital transformation.

The deal will involve both its road cars and its Formula One racing team and the first common projects, including the so-called digital cockpit, have been already identified, the Italian group said in a statement.

Ferrari’s new CEO Benedetto Vigna - a technology industry veteran - said in November Ferrari would seek technology partnerships as it moves ahead with transition toward cleaner mobility and in order to pivot technologies that require high investments.

“Innovation requires market leaders working together. Thanks to this agreement ... we expand our knowledge in digital technologies and web 3.0, areas with great potential for automotive and motorsport,” Vigna said in the statement.

The Snapdragon logo will make its debut on the F1-75 racing model, the Ferrari single-seater which will be unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Maranello on Feb. 17.

F1 news

12:07 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lando Norris is eager to challenge for titles in the future after committing his future to McLaren with a new four-year deal.

He said: “Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on.

“Last season was another great step, both in my career and the team’s performance, and I see and feel all the work, investment, and commitment for the team to be in a position to challenge for wins and titles in the future.

“This all gives me huge confidence looking forward, so it was a natural decision to extend our relationship for the next few years.”

F1 news

11:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

McLaren’s Team Principal Andreas Seidl has expressed his delight at securing Lando Norris’ future as they plot a route towards world championship contention.

Seidl said: “The opportunity to extend our relationship with Lando reflects not only our commitment but our belief and confidence in his talent. It is also a strong sign of trust and commitment from Lando in us as a team and our journey to world championship contention.

“Lando has shown impressive growth as a Formula 1 driver over the past four years and has been an instrumental part of the team’s momentum and performance trajectory.

“We are still on our journey to fight at the front and Lando is a key element of our plan, so to lock him into place, alongside Daniel and our senior leadership, gives us stability and continuity as we build towards our ultimate shared goal of world championships.”

F1 news

11:34 , Lawrence Ostlere

Alfa Romeo have moved to allay fears that a post-Barcelona test launch date does not mean problems ahead for their 2022 challenger.

Some talk has suggested this date now means the car is running late ahead of the new era in Formula 1.

Alfa Romeo revealed that the covers will be taken off their C42 on 27 February, two days after the first period in the famed Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 23-25 February, though a brief statement has put any speculation to bed.

“There will be a test drive before the full debut on Sunday 27th,” the statement read.

F1 news

11:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

George Russell’s race pace has been questioned by influential Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as the British driver prepares for his first season at Mercedes.

The 23-year-old has joined the German team from Williams ahead of the 2022 season, replacing Valtteri Bottas.

Russell is yet to take a Grand Prix win, and has just one podium in Formula 1.

Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver development program, challenged Russell to live up to the confidence shown in him by Mercedes.

New Mercedes driver George Russell has race pace questioned by Red Bull

F1 news

10:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lando Norris is eager to challenge for titles in the future after committing his future to McLaren with a new four-year deal.

He said: “Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on.

“Last season was another great step, both in my career and the team’s performance, and I see and feel all the work, investment, and commitment for the team to be in a position to challenge for wins and titles in the future.

“This all gives me huge confidence looking forward, so it was a natural decision to extend our relationship for the next few years.”

F1 news

10:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

Kevin Magnussen insists he won’t be back in Formula 1 as he only wants to race “with a hope of winning”.

The Dane spent six seasons in F1 with McLaren, Renault and Haas.

“The rest of my career will be only racing with a hope of winning,” the 29-year-old told RACER. “Whatever I do, I won’t go into anything if I know I can’t win, ever again. I’ve been there, done that.

“Sporting-wise, as an athlete, it wasn’t rewarding enough to be in the position I was in. It’s really good to be here (in the US) and have that spark back. You can go into every weekend and you can smell blood, and it just gives an extra sort of energy I haven’t had in a while.”

F1 news

10:05 , Lawrence Ostlere

The FIA has said that it is aware of radio transmissions that appear to evidence suggestions that Michael Masi was influenced by Red Bull over race radio during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Race director Masi’s role in the season-ending race at Yas Marina Circuit has been heavily criticised since Max Verstappen was afforded the opportunity to pass title rival Lewis Hamilton on the final lap in the United Arab Emirates.

Masi allowed lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves before allowing racing to restart, clearing the way for the Red Bull driver to pass the seven-time world champion on fresher tyres and claim his first world title.

The events are being investigated by the FIA, with a report due to be released ahead of the start of the 2022 season in Bahrain in March.

In audio from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is heard giving Masi apparent advice on the process of restarting the race.

FIA ‘aware’ of Red Bull radio messages pressuring Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race director

F1 news

09:53 , Lawrence Ostlere

Software giant Oracle has signed on as title sponsor to newly-crowned Formula One champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team in a broadening out of the partnership the two parties struck last year.

The new deal, announced to coincide with the launch of Red Bull’s 2022 car on Wednesday with which Verstappen hopes to defend his title, will see the team renamed Oracle Red Bull Racing.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit will also make greater use of Oracle’s cloud infrastructure to hone race strategy and engine development, including work on the team’s new 2026 power units, and help Red Bull drive greater fan engagement.

It will involve applying artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to groom its junior drivers and the setting up of gaming partnership Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports, the team said in a statement.

Oracle’s scaled up partnership with Red Bull further boosts the profile of American companies in Formula One, which was acquired by U.S.-based Liberty Media in 2017.

F1 news

09:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

Unearthed audio from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix shows Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley advising Michael Masi on how to deal with lapped cars as he tries to organise a restart.

Mercedes and Hamilton were left furious after a number of decisions from Masi helped Verstappen win a maiden championship title.

Wheatley can be heard saying: “Those lapped cars; you don’t need to let them go right the way around and catch up with the back of the pack. You only need to let them go, and then we’ve got a motor race on our hands.”

Watch the video:

New audio suggests Michael Masi gave Red Bull exactly what they asked for

F1 news

09:07 , Lawrence Ostlere

Oracle Red Bull unveiled their new car, the RB18, at a release show on Wednesday - but already Christian Horner is talking about changes being made to the eventual car driven by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the first race of the 2022 season.

The new rules and a car redesign mean teams will learn as they go where improvements can be made and what is allowed, says the team boss, meaning there could be quickfire alterations to come.

“The biggest change, obviously from a regulatory point of view, is the car is a lot cleaner, there are not all the added bits that were on last year’s car,” said Horner.

“The whole concept of the car is to try and promote overtaking and closer racing, so it’s a new concept, a new philosophy and it’s a clean sheet of paper for every single team.

“Because it’s new regulations it will evolve very quickly. I think by the time we get to the first race the car won’t look very much like this and I think the evolution will be very quick as we progress through the season. With the new regulation changes this year, the whole philosophy has altered, which means every single component is different to last year’s car. It’s a clean sheet of paper for every single team.

“It’s a steep learning curve for everyone and a race of development between the first and last races.”

F1 news

08:43 , Lawrence Ostlere

Max Verstappen goes from challenger to champion this year - meaning the rest of the grid will be out to hunt him down and beat him. That’s just a byproduct of being No1, but he’s not expecting it to change how he approaches race days himself.

In fact, the Oracle Red Bull driver is mostly concerned with how he adapts to the new car and the new regulations for the 2022 season. When asked if being the ‘target’ for other drivers meant it was a new experience he’d have to handle, he was clear about the car being the main focus, saying:

“Not really. I’m just looking forward to get back in the car and start driving it, to see how everything is handling. I had a good bit of time off and recharged to go driving again.

“I just do what I do all the time – there is no reason to suddenly be different,” added Verstappen at the launch of the RB1. “Of course, as a driver now with the new regulations, you have to get used to the car. It’s not like you just jump in and it’s an upgrade from last year. So that is going to be the biggest adaptation.

“A lot is unknown about the car. So personally I feel good. What is important is that you prepare yourself in the best way possible physically. But in terms of the car, you don’t know. So that’s why I’m very curious to see how the car is behaving on track… But the rest, I think it’s pretty straightforward.”

F1 news

08:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

Red Bull racing - now Oracle Red Bull racing in fact - unveiled their car for the 2022 F1 season on Wednesday and now we can see the first images of it.

The expected red and blue livery was on show in a live presentation and it’s the RB18 which Max Verstappen will be attempting to defend his title with. Sergio Perez, too, will be aiming to help the team win the Constructors’ championship this year.

Christian Horner is excited by the efforts of the technical and engineering team and wants Red Bull to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

“We believe we have a good car for 2022. The RB18 is coming to life and seeing it today is fantastic. I’m looking forward to seeing it out on the track in anger,” he said.

“It has been a huge effort from the team and I’m looking forward to seeing it out on the track now. Our challenge is now to build on 2021 – now we have the No 1 on the car it’s to keep it on the car and the new set of regulations will be incredibly difficult.

“We have massive competition out there, but motivation is sky high and we are riding on the crest of a wave from last year.”

Here are the best photos of the car from the launch:

08:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

Yesterday Red Bull revealed their new car, the RB18, and Christian Horner was bullish about their machine. “It has been a huge effort from the team and I’m looking forward to seeing it out on the track now,” said team principal Horner. “Our challenge is now to build on 2021 – now we have the No 1 on the car it’s to keep it on the car and the new set of regulations will be incredibly difficult. We have massive competition out there, but motivation is sky high and we are riding on the crest of a wave from last year.”

F1 news

08:01 , Lawrence Ostlere

Aston Martin are launching their new AMR22 car today ahead of the new F1 season. The team are being led into the sport’s new era by owner Lawrence Stroll and hope that their preparation for the new regulations stands them in good stead to climb higher than their seventh placed finish in the constructors’ championship last season. Four-time world champion will partner Stroll’s son Lance for a second successive season and they will be on hand at the presentation at the team’s UK headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.