Today, Defected Records is proud to announce a collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, one of the world’s foremost sporting brands and globally integrated energy company.
As two brands built around community, the collaboration celebrates ‘Driven by Sound’ – the shared energy and passion of music and F1®.
To mark the collaboration, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team and Defected Records will transform 19 D’Arblay Street in Soho, London, into a space that moves us for a three-day takeover, featuring a programme of content, community and DJ sets that bring together Formula One™ and house music.
One of the UK’s hubs for vinyl culture and the site of the first ever Defected office in 1999, D’Arblay St in Soho will also hold a Defected store pop-up open to the general public every day. Come down and shop a selection of vinyl, including highly sought-after vinyl like the Defected Classics series alongside a variety of t-shirts and accessories.
19 D’ARBLAY ST, SOHO, DSTORE OPENING HOURS:
Thu 27th Aug: 7–9pm
Fri 28th Aug: from 11am
Sat 29th Aug: from 10am
Sun 30th Aug: 10am – 3pm
The collaboration will also be giving to participants the new I / AM DROPS series – a culture-led fan experience programme inspired by streetwear, retail and limited releases. The Defected DROP centres around a highly exclusive listening session and features a curated selection of co-created pieces, including a bespoke record box and vinyl collection inspired by the ‘Driven by Sound’ campaign and a limited-edition range of T-shirts created exclusively for the collaboration.
The Defected DROP launches on Tuesday 25th August at 11:00 via the official Aston Martin website, with the Soho pop-up running from Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August. Thursday night sees a press launch event kick off the event series from 18:15 – 22:00, with a FANCOM Panel curated and hosted by Saatchi followed by a talk and DJ set from UK house and disco mainstay The Shapeshifters.
Friday 28th spotlights a programme designed for and led by FLINTA* individuals, including a panel hosted by pointblank Music School and Defected Records, a mixing masterclass for and by women and non-binary artists, then a pop-up party by Defected Radio Host and label resident Monki plus friends.
Saturday 29th begins with a sober coffee rave from 9:00 – 12:00 hosted by GRIND and long-time friend of Defected Sam Divine, followed by a surprise day party from 13:00 – 18:00 with a very special DJ guest.
The next day, Sunday 30th sees Defected’s Run Club warm up at D’arblay Street from 9:00 – 12:00, before an afternoon party spotlighting Defected’s resident DJs.
“Community is a vital part of F1®, and our collaboration with Defected Records enables our shared goal of bringing people together. Whether through the excitement of the sport or the energy of house music, we’re inviting fans to experience both worlds in a completely new way.
Aston Martin has a long history of cultural extensions. Through this collaboration with Defected Records, we continue to meet fans on their terms, using the power of music to bring a new audience to our sport.”
– Rob Bloom, Chief Marketing Officer, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team
Aston Martin Aramco x Defected marks the sporting brand’s latest extension into music, following previous activations with Tems, The Rolling Stones, Santan Dave, Dom Dolla and Barry Can’t Swim.
“As someone who has held an unconditional passion for both music and sport my whole life, the chance to bring the worlds of Defected Records and Aston Martin Aramco together is a compelling one.
Defected has always been for everyone, and our partnership with Formula One™ capitalises on this in more ways than one. From upcoming panels and DJ workshops by and for FLINTA* communities, to the DJ pop-ups and exclusive vinyl must-haves, there’s a lot for everyone to look forward to.
This unique coming together of our two brands enables likeminded fans to bond through music, sport and community alike (just as I have with many over the years), with togetherness remaining a cornerstone of our ethos for 27 years.
2026 has already been an unforgettable year for sport, and we are more than happy to build on this alongside Aston Martin Aramco.” – Wez Saunders, Chairman, CEO and Co-owner of Defected Records
The event series at 19 D’Arblay Street in Soho will begin on Thursday 27th August with a press night, with further events and pop-up parties taking place across the weekend until Sunday 30th August 2026.
For more info please visit https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/I-AM-DROPS.