Aston Martin Racing have launched the AMR-One, their new from the ground up LMP car designed for the ACO's 2011 regulations.
With a carbon fibre chassis designed and built by Aston Martin Racing the new car is significant departure from the Lola-Aston Martin that has carried the marque's name in recent years, sporting an entirely new look. This includes the shark fin mandated under the new rules and an open cockpit, a design choice which sets it apart from the new cars Audi and Peugeot will race this year. Power will be delivered by a two litre turbocharged straight six engine. This replaces the six litre V12 of the previous car, the new regulations forcing teams to downsize their engines for the 2011 season.
“We have chosen to run with a six cylinder turbocharged engine because we believe this offers the best potential within the petrol engine regulations,” explains team principal George Howard-Chappell. “With the ACO's commitment to effectively balance the performance of petrol and diesel Le Mans entrants – our hopes are high that we'll see the closest racing yet in the premiere LMP1 category.”
Aston Martin Racing also confirmed five of the six drivers for the works team. Stefan Mucke and Darren Turner – familiar names behind the wheel of a racing Aston Martin – will be joined by a third driver in the no.007 car. Adrian Fernandez, Andy Meyrick and Harold Primat will drive the no.009 car.
In total six examples of the new car will be built, with the works team running one car in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), a selective calendar rules out the 12 Hours of Sebring, instead opting for a debut at the opening round of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard, France. A second car will be added to the team for some events, with both cars on the entry list for the Le Mans 24 Hours. The car will run for the first time early this month.
The AMR-One is linked to the road going Aston Martin One-77, intended to be the ultimate display of Aston Martin's design and engineering expertise. The two cars share the same carbon fibre monocoque philosophy.
AMR chairman David Richards commented; “George and the team have been extremely busy over the winter months and they have been working day and night to produce what is not only a stunningly beautiful race car but one which will use the new ACO regulations to best effect.”
“Just like the road cars, the AMR-One has been elegantly engineered where simplicity runs throughout to produce what we expect to be a competitive and reliable endurance racer.”
