Member Info for AML_007

@Frank3h – No worries.

Shame we can’t edit posts, or we could both fix that / pretend it never happened.

Plus, my typo of wanted vs. watched. { Roll Eyes }

Anyway, I had my first AZ jab yesterday, which was a good excuse to relax/watch TV.

So, I’ve now watched the whole series and it has a few more insights into Stroll Sr + AM.

When Stroll defended the ‘Pink Mercedes’ protest he said he rarely spoke in public.

This might explain why he has only spoken publicly about AM a few times.
(And, also why it is worth listening to what he says when he does speak.)

There was a lot of talk on this BB in 2020 about a fear of Stroll ‘stiffing’ Private Investors.

There is nothing I’ve seen on this series that suggests that Stroll Sr isn’t a man of his word.

The last episode pulls together the link between Racing Point in 2020 and AM in 2021.

It seems that the original AMR21 colour scheme was going to be BRG + Yellow highlights.
(Rather than the pink highlights we saw on the final car.)

As for the drivers:
- Vettel will definitely be aiming to get his AMR ahead of Ferrari as often as possible.
- Stroll Jr has the potential to improve significantly in 2021.
(I’d forgotten about his pole in the wet, always a good sign of pure driving talent.)

Overall, this series is designed (and timed) to build excitement for the 2021 season.

Cheers,

Paul. :)

PS
The ‘Man on Fire’ episode will make you believe in miracles.
As the more you watch Romain Grosjean’s crash, the more unbelievable it is that he survived.
Let alone that he walked out of that ball of flames with (relatively) minor injuries.

@TinyPie – Thanks for the link.

For me, cars like the Valkyrie, Vulcan, One-77, etc. are why Mercedes want closer ties with AML.

If, and it is a big IF (DYOR)…
There are long term plans to merge, this would bring Mercedes in line with the VW Audi group.
Where Bugatti and Lamborghini provide top end models/prices that a VW could never achieve.

Within that article there is also a short film with the top 5 Bond Aston Martins.
I know there has been a long wait for ‘No time to die’, but I’m still looking forward to it.

Cheers, Paul. :)

PS
I wish the F1 safety & medical cars had a yellow band around the grille like the V12 Vantage S shown.

@Vorlich001 – Thanks for the link.

This launch is perfectly timed with the first F1 race of the year at the end of the week.

AML certainly seem to know the marketing value of F1 and their new safety/medical car deal.

Cheers, Paul. :)

@Frank3h - Just wanted S3:E1 (trying hard not to binge watch).

Two quotes from Stroll Sr that I liked:

"I've always won in the businesses I've run. I plan on winning here."

"You always look above. You don't look down."

And a quote from the team manager about what Stroll Sr expects:

"Six Star."

I think series 3 will give a great insight into the man running Aston Martin.

Everything I've seen so far, convinces me he is the right man for the AM job.

Cheers, Paul. :)

PS
What should we be looking out for in the background? {Wink}

@TinyPie - Agreed, Stroll is creating a brand and F1 is part of the puzzle.

Interesting (if you like this sort of thing) video on evolution of AMR21 and team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IBGc0rncFQ

@Vorlich001 - The fact Mercedes were prepared to 'share' this 'magic' has to be a good thing.

Why would they let a 'rival' get a look in, unless they are not a rival in the long term.

From BBC News Website:

"And Lance Stroll went fourth quickest late in the day for Aston Martin, formerly known as Racing Point. His new team-mate Sebastian Vettel ran in the hotter conditions of the morning session and ended the day 13th fastest."

I know it is only practise, but I think AML F1 will definitely get a few good results in 2021.

Cheers, Paul. :)

@Vorlich001 - Thanks for the link.

I loved the shots with the Aston's front discs glowing red. { Cool }

Is it me, or is the rear end of the Merc starting to look a lot like a Porsche 911?

Whereas, the Vantage rear end looks very different.

Cheers, Paul. :)

D'Oh!

Must learn to type faster.

Sorry @Doyezee for echoing your post.

@GT4racer – I think the job losses are part of ‘Project Horizon’, rather than the DBX being a flop.

The annual report talked about ‘Optimised operational footprint and efficiencies’.

Which suggests two things to me:
- Matching staff size to current production output, which can increase in the future.
- Avoiding duplication of roles/costs between St Athan and Gaydon.

Also lines up with Stroll’s ‘One step back, five steps forward’ comment.

DYOR

Cheers, Paul. :)

If you like the technical side of car racing, then “How to Build a Car” by Adrian Newey is a good read.

It gives a great insight and also covers the tragic death of Senna and how he designed the Valkyrie.

The video gives a great view of the ground effect he added to the underside of the Valkyrie. { Eek! }

Whilst selling a lot of DBXs remains a key part of AML’s recovery.

I really think it is AML models like the Valkyrie that Mercedes will want to be associated with.

Nice AM racing, AMR21 and Valkyrie video to start your day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqmETCZg5CE

@carpymick – Thanks for your support.

I’ve filtered @c2645sg so I can’t see his posts and he is aware that I’ve done this.

So, if he insults on here, it is the equivalent of him sticking his fingers up behind my back in real life.

I can’t see what he is doing and can’t take offense at it, but if it really makes him feel better, so be it.

You and @Jackwalker422 seem to have a similar view to mine, AML is heading in the right direction.

The original AML IPO was early Oct.18 and that wasn’t even two and a half years ago.

When Stroll first got involved in Jan.20, he is quoted in the FT as saying the business would take

“one step back before taking five steps forwards”

Their strategy provides a clear route to go from where they were to where they want to be.

Take care, Paul. :)

Job losses are not good for the people/families involved (especially during Covid).

However, in this case, I believe they are a good sign that AML have a plan and are delivering it.

I liked the way the AML strategy / Project Horizon was laid out on Page 15 to 19 here:
https://amsc-prod-cd.azureedge.net/-/media/corporate/documents/results-centre/2020---results-centre/fy---2020/aston-martin-lagonda-fy-2020-results---presentation.pdf

For me, the two key dates are:
20/04/20 - Lawrence Stroll became Chairman
01/08/20 - Tobias Moers became CEO

So, Stroll has been in charge of AML for less than a year and Moers in place for just over 7 months.

Turning around a company takes time and we are only at the beginning of this journey with AML.

Clearly, the fact Stroll’s AML transformation is taking place in the middle of Covid hasn’t helped.

Yet, despite some locked showrooms, order books are full to July (DBX) and September (Sports).

As showrooms reopen and F1 starts, AML will be able to sell a few more units between now and then.
(Don’t ask me what the right balance is, but a two-year waiting list might discourage sales.)

Whilst it is frustrating to see the SP around £19 today, compared to the recent highs of Feb21.

It is also worth remembering it was hovering around £10 from the end of Sep.20 to start of Nov.20.

Clearly, there are many different views on this BB about what success at AML looks like.

Which means it really is up to individuals to make up their own mind / DYOR.

I am happy to put my faith in Stroll and his team, which makes me happy with my AML investment.

GLA.

Cheers, Paul. :)

I’ve only filtered two people on here and there are already 5 filtered posts today.

Based on other people’s replies, I’m guessing:
- @Nite25 is still barking at passing cars while claiming a billionaire needs our money for his son
- @c2645sg’s glass remains half empty and can only see bad news, not any good

Note:
I don’t really care what they are actually posting.
They can have their option and I can have mine.
Nothing they write will change my option.
And I’m pretty sure nothing I write will change theirs.

GLA and ISWT.

Cheers, Paul. :)

This article echoes many of the reasons people on this BB have faith in Stroll's plan:
- Build to order to drive exclusive brand
- Full order books and not full showroom forecourts
- Mercedes partnership and rapid EV development
- 108 year history becoming a theme (look out for something special to mark 2023)

Add that to the publicity from the F1 teams and F1 safety & medical cars.

Even if it takes a while, the market will appreciate AML at some point.

GLA and ISWT.

Cheers, Paul. :)

Nice write up from the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/56252724

@Englangder - List of Astons in 'No Time To Die' here:

https://www.astonmartin.com/en-gb/our-world/no-time-to-die

Almost forgot, new Aston Martin 'Wings' launched too.

@Pupper - There was a pink band on the nose of the car and running along the side.
(Where I was hoping to see some traditional AML Signal Yellow.)

But I assume the pink is a nod to the Racing Point / BWT colours.
(Making the old team members feel at home in the new one.)

These days, a launch like this is always going to a bit 'corporate'.
(Watch the film 'Rush' if you miss 'the good old days'. )

Overall, I think my faith in Stroll/Father Christmas is well placed.

Cheers, Paul. :)

Forgot to add...

Stroll is definitely starting to look like Father Christmas with that beard.

{ Wink }