'We look out the window and there is the circuit'

Robert Constantin
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Reporting fromAston Martin F1 headquarters, Silverstone
Charlotte Vowden
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Robert Constantin/BBC Andy Cowell in a white, collared shirt and glasses standing in front of an Aston Martin F1 car in what looks like a showroomRobert Constantin/BBC
Andy Cowell is the chief executive officer and team principal at Aston Martin F1

A Formula 1 team principal said he hoped to "put on a show" for fans ahead of its "home race" at the British Grand Prix this Sunday.

The Aston Martin F1 team's £200m headquarters, located across the road from the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, opened in 2023.

The team is one of seven British-based F1 outfits, but none can claim to be closer than the Aston Martin HQ on Dadford Road.

"We look out the window and there's the circuit," said Andy Cowell, who is also the team's chief executive.

"It's very definitely our home race and we're looking forward to seeing all the fans with green T-shirts and green caps on and hopefully we can put on a good show."

The team, owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, is eighth in this season's constructors' championship with two-time world drivers' championship winner Fernando Alonso and Stroll's son, Lance, racing for it.

Formula 1 is marking its 75th anniversary in 2025 and Cowell, who formerly worked for the Brackley-based Mercedes team, said he had many fond memories of races at Silverstone.

"I guess seeing Lewis Hamilton with the gold [Royal Automobile Club] trophy a few times," he said. "Having contributed to that was a special moment".

Robert Constantin/BBC Guy Austin in a green Aston Martin F1 T-shirt. He is wearing glasses and smiling widelyRobert Constantin/BBC
Guy Austin designed Aston Martin's £200m campus at Silverstone

Aston Martin's £200m home features a factory and wind tunnel for testing the performance of its cars.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton's Motorsport Show about the building, Guy Austin, who designed the campus, said: "You look out of the window here, look at the view everybody gets out of this building... it's extraordinary. There's no other Formula One team that offers that.

"Creating the very best environment allows us to attract the very best talent and hopefully retain the very best talent because we're creating the best environment in Formula 1.

"I can confidently say that, because I've delivered every factory in this country for Formula 1, apart from McLaren."

Getty Images Aston martin Aramco car on the Silverstone F1 circuit backed by a stand of cheering fansGetty Images
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will be looking to perform in Aston Martin's home race
Related internet links

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.