LONDON: The new Aston Martin Vantage is set to take on a role as the official FIA safety car.
Making its debut at the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024 this weekend, the Vantage will lead the 20 F1 cars during the formation lap and stand ready for action throughout the race.
This is the fourth race season with specially equipped Aston Martins fulfilling a safety role in F1.
Celebrating Aston Martin's dynamic history, this Vantage, alongside the Vantage GT3 racer and AMR24 F1 challenger, highlights their performance.
The car, powered by a 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine, boasts a 30% power increase over its predecessor and has been set up for its role without needing major modifications.
To provide maximum attack on the race track, the unique car has additional, modified underfloor aerodynamics, along with an extended and profiled front splitter.
For extra downforce, a new rear wing has been specifically fitted in a bespoke position with a tuned Gurney. The FIA lightbar has also received new aero-profiling as every millisecond of performance is vital whilst leading the pack of F1 cars with rapidly cooling tyres.
Inside the Vantage Safety Car sits a plethora of systems to assist the driver and passenger in their roles.
The production seats have been replaced by Pole Position Seats to keep FIA Safety Car driver, Bernd Mayländer and his passenger firmly in place as they circulate at speed.
A bespoke centre console is fitted with switchgear to work the FIA systems, along with screens showing live lap times, the track positioning of all of the cars and a rear-view camera.
The Vantage will work alongside a DBX707, which continues as an Official FIA Medical Car of Formula 1.
Although functional, the safety car is still an Aston Martin so the interior has been finished in a unique Lime Essence trim in a nod to the marque’s own racing colours.
