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Rising Star Joseph Loake Excels In Aston Martin F1 Silverstone Test
British racing driver Joseph Loake showcased his talent by completing 39 laps in an Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team car at Silverstone. This opportunity was part of his prize for winning the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award [AMABA] last year. The 19-year-old drove the AMR22, a car similar to those used by Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll during the 2022 FIA Formula 1® World Championship season.
The day began with two series of installation laps on the 3.66-mile track before moving into a series of slick tyre runs. Loake covered over 225km in dry conditions, sampling both hard and soft-compound Pirelli tyres across four further runs. The AMR22, powered by a 1.6-litre V6 engine combined with a twin-energy hybrid retrieval system, can produce around 1000bhp.
Loake expressed his amazement at the experience, stating, "It’s been incredible. I knew it was going to be faster than anything I’d driven, but the grip and speed through the fast turns was absolutely astonishing – a whole level above anything I could have imagined." He also noted how different it felt compared to racing a Formula 3 car.
Loake finished third in the 2023 GB3 Championship before advancing to FIA Formula 3 this year. Reflecting on his F1 test, he said, "The whole experience has been amazing and so different to racing a Formula 3 car. Walking into the garage and seeing so many people who are just there for you and your car, and then seeing your name on the halo really makes it dawn on you, ‘this is real; I’m going to drive a Formula 1® car.’"
Robert Sattler, F1 Evolution Programme Director at AMF1 Team, praised Loake's performance: "Joseph did a very good job on his first time driving a Formula 1 car. It’s a big step up from what he’s used to in Formula 3, but he dealt with everything extremely professionally and made a very good impression on the team with his attitude."
Sattler highlighted Loake's ability to adapt quickly: "The number of technical staff and other people that are involved in running a Formula 1 car can be a bit overwhelming for some, but Joseph settled in well and asked a lot of pertinent questions." He added that Loake showed confidence in pushing the limits of the AMR22 right away.
Loake's Future Prospects
Loake won this test along with £200,000 cash prize, full British Racing Drivers’ Club membership, an Arai helmet, and a Jordan Bespoke personalised helmet bag after outperforming three rivals in last year's two-day assessment at Silverstone. He tested various machinery including an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Reflecting on his day at Silverstone, Loake said: "But the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team AMR22 is incredible. I’ve never known a car to be so responsive to every steering adjustment, every dab of throttle. It’s the most compliant car I’ve ever driven and that gives you confidence to push."
Aston Martin Lagonda's Vision
Aston Martin Lagonda aims to be recognised as the world’s most desirable ultra-luxury British brand. Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin is known globally for its style, luxury, performance, and exclusivity. The company combines advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship to create critically acclaimed models like the Vantage and DB12.
The company is committed to sustainability through its Racing Green strategy. By blending drivetrain approaches between 2025 and 2030—including PHEV and BEV—Aston Martin plans to offer electric sports cars and SUVs while achieving net-zero manufacturing by 2030.
Aston Martin Lagonda designs its cars in Gaydon, England, exporting them to over 50 countries worldwide. Its sports cars are manufactured in Gaydon while its luxury DBX SUV range is produced in St Athan, Wales.
The company saw significant investment when Lawrence Stroll became Executive Chairman in 2020. This marked Aston Martin’s return to top-tier motorsport with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team.
The entire experience left Loake feeling grateful: "The whole experience has been amazing and the team were brilliant with me. I’m so grateful to everyone involved from Aston Martin, Autosport and the BRDC who have made this possible for young racing drivers."
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