The 2011 Aston Martin AMR One LMP1 was a prototype racing car built by Aston Martin Racing and designed to compete in the Le Mans Prototype 1 category of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was the first LMP1 car to be produced by the British manufacturer, and was seen as a significant step in Aston Martin’s return to the world of endurance racing. The car was powered by a 3.4 litre V8 engine and featured a carbon fibre monocoque chassis. The car made its debut at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, but reliability issues saw the team retire from the race. Despite this, the car went on to compete in multiple endurance events throughout the year, with the team eventually achieving a podium finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012.
The AMR One was designed with the intention of Aston Martin competing in the LMP1 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was powered by a 3.4 litre V8 engine, which was capable of producing over 500bhp. The engine was coupled to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission. The car was also equipped with a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, which was designed to be lightweight and aerodynamic. The car was designed with a low centre of gravity and featured many aerodynamic features, including a rear diffuser and a front splitter.
The AMR One made its debut at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was plagued by reliability issues throughout the race. The car eventually retired after just five hours, with the team citing engine failure as the cause. Despite this, the car went on to compete in multiple endurance events throughout the year, including the American Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The AMR One was piloted by a number of experienced drivers, including former F1 driver Jérôme d’Ambrosio and ex-Audi Sport driver Allan McNish. The car was also driven by Darren Turner, who had been part of the Aston Martin works team since 2006. The team achieved multiple podium finishes throughout the year, but their best result came at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012, where they finished in third place overall.
Despite the car’s relative success, the AMR One was ultimately unsuccessful, and Aston Martin ultimately decided to focus their efforts on other projects. The car was eventually replaced by the Vantage GTE, which went on to become a successful endurance racing car. The AMR One remains an important part of Aston Martin’s history, and is remembered as the first LMP1 car produced by the British manufacturer.
