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Update | Stroll denies rumour: "Absolute bullsh*t"

30 January 2021 at 13:44
Last update 30 January 2021 at 13:44
  • GPblog.com

Aston Martin is currently in the news with all the hints at its livery and outfits for 2021, and above all of course the arrival of Sebastian Vettel. However, according to Formula 1 journalist Joe Saward, there are also dark clouds hanging over the Silverstone factory.

Problems at Aston Martin

In recent years much has changed at the team formerly known as Force India. Lawrence Stroll bought the team and together with his partners it was renamed Racing Point. However, that name soon disappeared, because after Aston Martin was bought by Stroll, it was announced that Aston Martin would be the new name of the team.

With a new name comes a new livery (British Racing Green) and a new driver: Sebastian Vettel. The four-time world champion has been cleverly used as a marketing tool in recent days to draw a lot of attention to Aston Martin's return to F1. The question is, however, how long will that return last?

Potential buyer?

According to Joe Saward, an experienced F1 journalist, there's also a possibility that Aston Martin could be bought again, with a Chinese company reportedly interested. He wrote on his own blog: "This morning there was an interesting story from China’s East Money, a website that watches the financial markets, which suggested that China’s BYD Auto Company is preparing to acquire the Aston Martin car company, in a deal that would value the British firm at £4.1 billion."

BYD Auto Company is said to be looking for a way to become known in Europe and sees Aston Martin as an ideal showcase. Additionally, it already has a partnership with Daimler, which also has a share in Aston Martin. So Stroll's era could be a short one, as could Aston Martin's period in Formula 1.

Update | 2:30 pm - 30 January 2021

A spokesman for Lawrence Stroll has told Pitpass and others that the rumours of a possible sale of Aston Martin are based on nothing. In a statement, Stroll states: 'Team owner Lawrence Stroll describes the rumours as 'absolute bullshit and totally untrue"

The statement goes on to say that Stroll is still very enthusiastic about the project and has always believed in its long-term success. Thus, the reports of a takeover by the Chinese company BYD Auto Company do not seem to be true.