Aston Martin has revealed its new safety and medical car that will be used at a number of Formula 1 events this year.
The arrival of Aston Martin results from long-time safety car supplier Mercedes increasing their stake in the British marque.
For the first time in 60 years, Aston Martin has returned as a team in F1. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will steer one car while Lance Stroll will be behind the wheel of the sister car.
The safety car is a specially equipped version of Aston’s Vantage. A team has developed the car at its UK headquarters to make chassis and aerodynamic improvements to enhance its performance.
The 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 accelerates from 0-100 kph in 3.5s and packs a punch of 528hp.
The most significant improvements over the road-going Vantage comes from the safety car’s improved aerodynamic package. At 200 kph, the car creates 156kg of downforce, 60kg more than the stock version going at the same speed.
A revised suspension set-up and low-profile tyres ensure the Vantage is suitable to the demands of any F1 circuit, even in the trickiest of weather conditions.
Like the Mercedes AMG GT R used in last year’s F1 season, the Vantage has a dual monitor on the dashboard with live positioning of every car and a television feed of the race.
“Formula 1 fans around the world are delighted to see the return of Aston Martin to the track, as am I,” said F1’s safety car driver Bernd Maylander. “[This] is a beautiful, capable car that signifies an exciting new era for Aston Martin.”
The medical chase car’s role will be filled by Aston Martin’s first-ever SUV: the DBX.
Driven by the same 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 as the Vantage, the DBX produces similar horsepower levels, maxing out at 542hp. It moves from 0-100 kph in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 291 kph.
The car will be driven by Alan van der Merwe and partnered by Dr Ian Roberts, two men who were pivotal in the safety of Romain Grosjean in the scary fireball crash during last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
Both cars will sport a green colour scheme, similar to the livery seen on the 2021 Aston Martin F1 car. The lime green highlights are a tribute touch to the manufacturer’s World Endurance Championship racers.
The two cars will be making their F1 debut at the three-day pre-season test in Bahrain on March 12-14, 2021. They will then be at the opening round of the championship at the same track two weeks later.