Aston Martin Formula 1 Engines
Founder: Lionel Martin (1878-1945)
Nation: United Kingdom
First GP: Netherlands 1959
Last GP: Britain 1960
Best Result: 6th
Best Grid Position: 2nd (Roy Salvadori)
Championship History
Constructors Championship: Never ranked
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1959 | Not Classified |
| 1960 | Not Classified |
Overall Statistics
- 5 Grands Prix
- 1 no start
- 2 seasons
- 3 drivers
- 518 laps raced
- 2,646 km raced
Engine Specifications
Aston Martin RB6 (1959-1960)
Aston Martin’s only Formula 1 engine was developed for their brief factory effort in the late 1950s. The naturally aspirated inline-6 was noted for its reliability but lacked the power of contemporary engines from Ferrari and Coventry-Climax.
Configuration: Inline-6
Displacement: 2,992 cm³
Power: 250 hp
RPM: 6,300
Teams: Aston Martin
Technical Legacy
The RB6 engine was derived from Aston Martin’s DBR1 sports car engine that won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. While reliable, its weight and lower power output compared to competitors limited its success in Formula 1. The engine program was discontinued after just two seasons.
1959-1960 Drivers
- Roy Salvadori (UK) – Scored best grid position (2nd)
- Carroll Shelby (USA)
- Maurice Trintignant (France)
Notable Achievement
Roy Salvadori qualified 2nd at the 1959 British Grand Prix at Aintree – Aston Martin’s best grid position in Formula 1. The team finished 6th in the race, their highest finish.
