Sebastian Vettel is German through and through, but having played motorsport for decades he fully understands and appreciates the contribution of British racing to Formula 1 and racing in general. He had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the first-ever Aston Martin Grand Pix car, nicknamed TT1, and drive it around the Paul Ricard circuit ahead of this weekend’s French F1 Grand Prix.
Although this is a publicity stunt to mark 100 years of the racing care anniversary, the four-time F1 champion seemed to really enjoy the “hot lap” at the wheel of the “Green Pea”. The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver was able to experience the 55 horsepower of the mighty 1.5-litre engine in a cart-style racing car that weighs just 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds). The TT1 is actually 45 kg (99 lb) lighter than this season’s AMR22 F1 car.
At the start of the race, these Grand Prix machines had two seats, one for the driver and the other for a mechanic. The latter’s job was to pressurize the fuel tank using a hand pump and fix any problems that might have arisen during the race. While it might have been more practical than a current F1 car, let’s just say it was just that tiny bit slower as it only topped 85mph (137kph).
The Aston Martin TT1 was originally supposed to race for the first time at the Isle of Man TT in 1922, but its motorsport debut was pushed back until the French Grand Prix on July 15. Wealthy young motor racing driver and trailblazer Count Louis Zborowski drove the Green Pea, having invested £10,000 in the development of a new 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine.
It was the engine that forced Louis Zborowski to retire from the car after 19 laps, with Felice Nazzaro driving the Fiat 804 taking the win. The 1922 French Grand Prix podium was completed by Pierre de Vizcaya in second place and Pierre Marco in third, both driving the Bugatti T30. The other Aston Martin, the TT2 driven by Clive Gallop, also retired from the race due to an engine problem.
Sebastian Vettel is German through and through, but having played motorsport for decades he fully understands and appreciates the contribution of British racing to Formula 1 and racing in general. He had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the first-ever Aston Martin Grand Pix car, nicknamed TT1, and drive it around the Paul Ricard circuit ahead of this weekend’s French F1 Grand Prix.
Although this is a publicity stunt to mark 100 years of the racing care anniversary, the four-time F1 champion seemed to really enjoy the “hot lap” at the wheel of the “Green Pea”. The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver was able to experience the 55 horsepower of the mighty 1.5-litre engine in a cart-style racing car that weighs just 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds). The TT1 is actually 45 kg (99 lb) lighter than this season’s AMR22 F1 car.
At the start of the race, these Grand Prix machines had two seats, one for the driver and the other for a mechanic. The latter’s job was to pressurize the fuel tank using a hand pump and fix any problems that might have arisen during the race. While it might have been more practical than a current F1 car, let’s just say it was just that tiny bit slower as it only topped 85mph (137kph).
The Aston Martin TT1 was originally supposed to race for the first time at the Isle of Man TT in 1922, but its motorsport debut was pushed back until the French Grand Prix on July 15. Wealthy young motor racing driver and trailblazer Count Louis Zborowski drove the Green Pea, having invested £10,000 in the development of a new 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine.
It was the engine that forced Louis Zborowski to retire from the car after 19 laps, with Felice Nazzaro driving the Fiat 804 taking the win. The 1922 French Grand Prix podium was completed by Pierre de Vizcaya in second place and Pierre Marco in third, both driving the Bugatti T30. The other Aston Martin, the TT2 driven by Clive Gallop, also retired from the race due to an engine problem.