As a globally renowned integrated energy and chemicals company, Saudi Aramco announced a strategic partnership with the Aston Martin F1 team back in February 2022, aiming to participate in F1 events and leverage resources and research outcomes to drive technological advancement and sustainable transportation development.
The "Make A Mark" initiative provided a full-day immersive experience for 20 Chinese students. The collaboration revolved around themes such as F1 racing, aerodynamic design, material innovation, and future-oriented low-carbon fuel technology. It featured professional technical explanations, on-site demonstrations, and interactive discussions.
At the event, students experience the thrill of racing by driving go-karts themselves.
Students visited the garage of the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team and took a group photo with the team.
At the event, Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® driver ambassador Jessica Hawkins raised a selfie stick, posing for a photo with team representatives and students attending the event.
Saudi Aramco and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® team are committed to pushing the limits of possibilities both on and off the track through collaborative efforts. Professionals from both sides closely collaborate, organizing a series of engaging activities centered around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education themes, aimed at attracting and inspiring young people worldwide to become the next generation of technology experts, engineers, and drivers.
Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® driver ambassador Jessica Hawkins, along with team ambassador Pedro Martinez De La Rosa, shared karting driving tips at the event, encouraging the next generation of youth to actively engage in the innovative development of motorsports and scientific technology.
From left to right: Aston Martin Saudi Aramco Formula 1 Team Ambassador Pedro Martinez De La Rosa, Aston Martin Saudi Aramco Formula 1 Team Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins, Ashraf Al Fagih, Vice President of Public Affairs at Aramco Asia.
Rania Biltaji, Marketing, Partnership, and Corporate Sponsorship Manager at Saudi Aramco, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco Formula 1 Team to launch the 'Make A Mark' initiative in China. Saudi Aramco shares China's vision for sustainable development and a low-carbon future, and is committed to working together with China to achieve this goal. We hope to inspire more Chinese youth to unleash their potential in innovation, inclusivity, and passion."
Kate Smithson, Partnership Director at Aston Martin Saudi Aramco Formula 1 Team, commented, "We are honored to launch the 'Make A Mark' initiative in collaboration with our title partner, Saudi Aramco, and we aim to promote diversity in motorsport and scientific technology, attracting more young people to engage in these fields. We look forward to hosting such activities continuously to encourage more young enthusiasts from China and around the world to actively participate in motorsport."
The Aston Martin team has a rich history in F1 racing, having participated under different names at different times and officially returning to the F1 circuit as a works team in 2021. The team has attracted notable drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, further enhancing its visibility and competitiveness.
In 2022, Sebastian Vettel retired, and the team continued to develop its advanced new facilities while launching the "Make A Mark" ESG program.
Additionally, during the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 testing period, Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins became the first woman in nearly five years to drive a modern F1 car.
On December 15, 2023, Saudi Aramco announced the extension of its partnership with the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 Team, becoming its exclusive official title partner. Besides their strategic partnership, the two entities will collaborate on creating new transportation solutions both on and off the track. This new five-year agreement will terminate in 2028.
Starting from January 1, 2024, the Aston Martin team, based at the Silverstone Circuit, will also be renamed the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 Team.
According to the agreement, starting from 2026, Saudi Aramco will provide technical support, advanced fuels, and lubricants to the team, while also partnering with Honda to supply the team with new-generation racing car engines.
Saudi Aramco and the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 Team will also collaborate on STEM-themed activities to inspire young technologists, engineers, and future racing drivers.
