IN PICTURES – Discover the new Aston Martin Vantage which will serve as a Safety Car in F1

After three seasons with its previous Vantage, Aston Martin has updated its Safety Car version for 2024. This Tuesday morning, the English brand unveiled the latest evolution of its model, which still wears its iconic Aston Martin green. The objective in sight? Go ever faster and scrape thousandths of a second on the track.

So, Aston Martin has pulled out all the stops to make it “the fastest, most driver-focused Vantage ever”. “Transforming the Vantage into the official safety car of Formula 1 was primarily a task of adding all the FIA ​​equipment. Of course, it has additional aerodynamics not found on a road car to allow it to attack on the track and showcase the capabilities of our new ultra-luxury, high-performance car.", highlighted Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Group Chief Technology Officer.

30% more powerful

On the engine side, the new Vantage is powered by a 8-liter twin-turbo V4, “offering 30% more power than the previous model”. Having an already very solid base with the road version, Aston Martin did not need to update the engine, modify the cooling system or improve the braking system to adapt it in safety car.

However, to perform as well as possible on the track, which it will take from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Safety Car version is « featuring modified aerodynamics under the floor, as well as an elongated and profiled front splitter. For additional downforce, a new rear wing has been specially installed in a bespoke position. The FIA ​​light bar has also received a new aerodynamic profile, as every millisecond of performance is vital while leading the pack in F1 cars that cool down quickly,” detailed Aston Martin.

“An improvement in handling”, according to the Safety Car driver

Inside, there is still a multitude of systems to assist the driver and passenger in their role. The seats have been improved. “A bespoke center console fitted with control gear to operate the FIA ​​systems, as well as screens showing live lap times, track positioning of all cars and a reversing camera” are here. 

The new Aston Martin Vantage has already hit the track. Behind the wheel, Bernd Mayländer, driver of the Safety Car, was able to try it out. “My first impressions were very positive, as I immediately felt the improvement in handling and, of course, power. We need a fast car so we can respond quickly and safely when we get a call for a track deployment, and the Vantage meets that criteria.", he commented.

This new Safety Car will again be accompanied this year by the DBX707 as a medial car, when it will not be the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ on track.

Gallery – Safety Car Aston Martin Vantage

(Aston Martin photos)

Kelman Marti

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