TT1 – nicknamed ‘Green Pea’ – returns to France with Sebastian Vettel, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its racing debut in 1922. Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team to race with original Aston Martin button badge on its cars, in the week the brand reveals its updated new iconic wings marque.
Click here to subscribe to our print edition!
A century on from its racing debut, Aston Martin’s original Grand Prix car today roared back to the French Grand Prix for a thrilling celebratory lap.
This weekend’s race sees Aston Martin mark the centenary of its maiden challenge at the 1922 French Grand Prix, with no current Formula One manufacturer enjoying such a past history of the top-flight competition.
Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel had the chance to pilot TT1 – affectionately nicknamed ‘Green Pea’ – around Circuit Paul Ricard, 100 years on from the storied car taking to the road circuit of Strasbourg for a 60-lap, 800 km race as one of two Aston Martin entries.
Founder Lionel Martin built the cars following a commission by a wealthy young motor racing driver and pioneer Count Louis Zborowski, who invested £10,000 in their construction and the development of an entirely new 16-valve twin overhead cam four-cylinder race engine. TT1 and TT2 were originally intended for the 1922 Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) event, but a delay saw them instead make the marque’s international racing debut at the French Grand Prix on the 15 July 1922, with Zborowski piloting TT1. He later designed ‘Chitty Bang Bang’ the car which inspired the book, film, and stage musical Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver said: “It was an incredible honour to drive this car, exactly 100 years on from its last taking to the starting line at the French Grand Prix.
“Green Pea holds a very special place in Aston Martin’s heritage, and you can almost feel that century of history beneath your fingertips when at the wheel.
“The racing spirit and will to win is something that defines Aston Martin, and it’s fantastic to celebrate it this weekend as we bring Green Pea and our heritage in motorsport together with the innovative technology and performance of today’s AMR22 car.”
This weekend, the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team will race with the original Aston Martin logo from 1913 on the nose of its cars, mirroring…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Paddock Magazine…