Fighting Spirit—A Brief History of Aston Martin in Grand Prix Racing

Aston Martin is known worldwide for its high-profile successes in sports car racing. A famous outright win at Le Mans and a third consecutive victory at the Nürburgring 1,000-km saw Aston Martin crowned World Sportscar Champions in 1959. Multiple class wins at Le Mans stretch from 1931 to this year’s multi-class victory which secured the GT Manufacturers’ World Endurance Championship. Numerous race and class victories over the years have cemented the brand as one of the great names in endurance racing.

But perhaps less well-known are Aston Martin’s European Grand Prix and, later, Formula 1 exploits. These may not be as famous, but they are equally notable. Indeed, from the very beginning of the Aston Martin business 107 years ago—founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in 1913 in a small London workshop—top-flight motorsport participation was integral to the company’s very ethos and identity.