Sebastian Vettel reflects on driving the Aston Martin TT1 around the Paul Ricardo circuit at the onset of F1 French GP weekend.

With the French GP this weekend, it is a celebration of sorts for Aston Martin.  It follows on from their F1 racing debut at the same grand prix on July 15, 1922. It was an iconic day for the car manufacturer and Vettel got the chance to drive the amusingly nicknamed “Green Pea” around Paul Ricard to celebrate the centenary.

The Aston Martin TT1 took to the circuit, with Vettel dressed in the regalia of that era alongside Sky Sports’ Johnny Herbert. “It was an incredible honour to drive this car, exactly 100 years on from it last taking to the starting line at the French Grand Prix,” said the German.

“Green Pea holds a very special place in Aston Martin’s heritage, and you can almost feel that century of history beneath your fingertips when at the wheel.  The racing spirit and will to win is something that defines Aston Martin, and it’s fantastic to celebrate it this weekend as we bring Green Pea and our heritage in motorsport together with the cutting-edge technology and performance of today’s AMR22 car.”

Aston Martin’s motorsport heritage is unequalled in terms of history and not just F1 but their historical results from Le Mans also. Formula One cars have come on so so much since then and of course grand prix started in 1950 and after 60 odd seasons the team returned to the Grand Prix paddock last season.

TT1 was built by wealthy Lionel Martin having been commissioned by Count Louis Zborowski who was a wealthy young man and racing driver. He invested £10,000 in the construction of same. The cars (TT1 and TT2) were originally intended for the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races but delays saw them make their competitive debut at the French Grand Prix on July 15 1922 at Strabourg – a race won by Felice Nazarro.

Both Aston Martin’s in the hands of Zborowski and Clive Gallop retired with engine failure. This weekend, both Vettel and Lance Stroll will race with the original Aston Martin logo from 1913 on the nose of their cars, a mirror image of the marque featured on Green Pea.

Here’s photos and videos:

Action, TS-Live, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922
portrait, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922
Action, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922
Action, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922
Action, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922
portrait, Circuit Paul Ricard, GP2212a, F1, GP, France
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, and Johnny Herbert, Sky TV, in the Aston Martin Grean Pea TT1 from 1922

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