F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Aston Martin wants green livery to 'pop' more on TV

Aston Martin won't shed its green identity but wants to tweak its livery to make its car "pop a little bit more" on TV.

Team Silverstone's partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda which was initiated this year resulted in the former Racing Point-branded outfit abandoning its signature pink glow associated with title sponsor BWT in favour of a shade of British Racing Green.

BWT is no longer Aston Martin's main sponsor, with U.S. tech giant Cognizant taking over the team's naming rights. But BWT chief executive Andreas Weissenbacher still lamented the outfit's livery change which he said was "wrong" in terms of recognition.

"If the Aston Martin were pink, title sponsor Cognizant would also have more fun because the recognition value would be much higher," Weissenbacher recently told Speedweek.

"From a business point of view it was wrong. Historically the British racing green is certainly understandable for many, not for me. The Aston Martin does not stand out on TV."

Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer admitted that the AMR21's livery lacked intensity on TV, while the car is also often getting confused when seen from afar with Mercedes' dark W12.

But, much to BWT's chagrin, Szafnauer dismissed changing the team's green identity or reverting to pink.

"I think that the green colour suits us, that's for sure," he said in Austria on Friday. "I think it's a stunning colour in the sun and when you're looking at it in person.

"But I believe we should be looking at making it pop a little bit more on television, without losing the green when you're looking at it outside.

"I don't know if we can do that, but that's one thing that we're looking to do, just to make sure that it differentiates itself on TV from some of the other darker cars."

BWT remains an Aston Martin secondary sponsor, and its presence is underscored by a pink highlight on the AMR21.

But Szafnauer made clear that Aston's green would likely stay, regardless of whose name is on the car.

With the name of Aston Martin, and Aston Martin being green traditionally, and we're growing the Aston Martin Cognizant F1 team. I would think it will stay green," he said.

"Ferrari is red. Aston Martin is green."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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