Aston Martin has revealed the first images of the new Vantage Safety Car which will be used at half of this year’s Formula 1 races.
The company presented the latest Vantage when it launched its AMR24 Formula 1 car last month. It will continue to supply one of F1’s two Safety Cars, the other being Mercedes’ AMG GT Black.The new Vantage will appear for the first time at this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in the hands of Safety Car driver Bernd Maylander. It features a four-litre V8 twin-turbo engine which Aston Martin say is 30% more powerful than its predecessor’s.
The car features several adaptations compared to a roadgoing example. In addition to the FIA light cluster on top and central console inside, its aerodynamics have been refined to enhance performance. The front splitter, rear wing and floor have all been revised.
Aston Martin’s chief technology officer described the car as “the fastest and most driver-focused Vantage yet, which makes it perfect for this unique job so to turn it into an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1 was primarily a task of adding all of the FIA equipment.
“Of course, it has additional aero not found on the road car to make sure it can attack the race track and showcase the capabilities of our newest ultra-luxury high-performance car.”
Maylander, who is beginning his 25th year as the FIA’s F1 Safety Car driver, said his “first impressions were very positive as I could immediately feel the improvement in handling and, of course, power.”
The 2024 season will be Aston Martin’s fourth as a supplier of the F1 Safety Car. The manufacturer also provides a Medical Car, which is based on its DBX707 model.
Pictures: New Aston Martin Vantage Formula 1 Safety Car for 2024
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Coventry Climax
5th March 2024, 8:29
I’ve always thought the Vantages to be beautiful, stylish cars, but the SUV’s do not appeal to me whatsoever. Glad this is a ‘normal’ one.
But commercial bla never appeals to me, nor does the brand and type of infotainment system, material and color of the upholstery etc.; it’s technics I’m interested in.
Since contemporary F1 cars are all converging to being more or less the same, I’ll have to ask the former ultimate F1 question about these, otherwise non-competing cars now:
How does it compare against the Merc in weight, power, wheelbase, track width, etc.?
Zann (@zann)
5th March 2024, 8:46
Yes it’s good it’s not an SUV isn’t it, they are just unethical. But really they don’t need safety cars at all, they could just command a speed from the office, it’s a way of manipulating the race for some fake drama, and they call one whenever a car stops anywhere, even right in front of an exit
It’s just a bit fake and manipulative, I find them annoying
S
5th March 2024, 9:40
First, it’s not fake. SC’s are used when intervention is required – they don’t just send it out on an otherwise clear track as a ‘competition caution’ like some other series do.
Second, even ‘fake’ drama is more desirable than no drama, as clearly evidenced by the scores people are giving ‘races’ like the last one.
Coventry Climax
5th March 2024, 16:42
First, noone here questions that there’s moments sometimes where intervention is required.
I and @zann think (=opinion) it’s questionable whether that should be done by means of a safety car though, as there’s many other options to achieve the same.
Second, stunningly brilliant jumping to conclusions again, that when there’s something apparently amiss with F1 according to ‘scores some people are giving races’, that also means all people’ think more drama is desirable.
S
6th March 2024, 0:46
Sure?
Second – look for yourself at the scores for the last race just on this site.
It’s a small sample size compared to F1’s total viewing audience, no doubt – but these are the people (the ones who seek out fansites) who will usually rate races higher than average, not lower.
Not sure I said anything about all people, anyway. Can you point to where I did?
And what happened to you ignoring me? You keep forgetting?
ryanoceros (@ryanoceros)
5th March 2024, 20:45
No not really. Actually I’d say the recent trend to red flag races when a safety car would suffice manipulates the race even more. It’ll make better sense for you in the future with more experience following motor racing.
An Sionnach
5th March 2024, 9:42
Yes. Infotainment systems are annoying and often obsolete on arrival. Something simple with actual buttons is more usable. For technical wizardry, they could go with a clean-looking panel without screens, but with an openable space in the plastic, wood or carbon fibre, (depending on the trim level!) which can hold a device. That would mean that your entertainment system, if you want one, need never go out of date as you can just change your phone. The problem with touchscreens is that they don’t age as well as a simpler system with physical buttons. They are often frustrating to use, even when new.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
5th March 2024, 8:55
This just screams “we’ll eventually release this as an optional 200,000 pounds performance pack for the road going car”.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th March 2024, 9:04
@fer-no65 Good point, I’ll hold off ordering mine until then.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
5th March 2024, 9:39
@keithcollantine too expensive, I’ll just daily my Valkyrie
Mog
5th March 2024, 9:54
I read it as a not so well thought through contradiction – “we have a purpose track car spec to showcase the road car’s capabilities.”..!?
But i think you are correct, because its the only way this sentence makes sense.
ryanoceros (@ryanoceros)
5th March 2024, 20:48
I think it’s funny that they say these features “showcase the capabilities of our newest ultra-luxury high-performance car“ but the car they sell doesn’t have those capabilities.
MichaelN
5th March 2024, 9:23
Just have a slow zone, it works with 50+ cars at Le Mans.
If the track can’t be navigated, red flag it and save the racing laps.
Safety cars are a relic, and there’s no more need for them.
S
5th March 2024, 9:35
You’ve seen the quality of F1 races recently… F1 desperately needs them – though not necessarily always for safety….
Most of the best races involve SC’s… It’s no coincidence.
anon
5th March 2024, 9:38
Your post suggests you don’t understand how Le Mans operates, because they still use safety cars – they usually group cars together into multiple different safety car groups on track, due to the length of the circuit.
Slow zones are basically just glorified yellow flag zones, and again exist mainly for the specific requirements of Le Mans (due to the unusual circuit length and distribution of marshal posts). They don’t really need to be introduced because there already is an equivalent system in place.
MichaelN
5th March 2024, 14:07
Le Mans stopped using safety cars after about 1 AM last year because the safety car procedure you mention was a total disaster and meant the first 9 hours of the race saw 3 hours run behind safety cars. Did nothing happen after 1 AM? Not at all. There were crashes, cars stranded, even a barrier repair. All without safety cars. They’re not needed.
People are just used to safety cars after 20 odd years of seeing them around. But a slow zone, other than F1’s VSC, also has the added benefit of being just in one section of the track so racing can continue elsewhere. It also doesn’t have any of the negatives of safety cars, like giving unfair advantages to some drivers; closing gaps, reordering the field to get backmarkers out of the way, and especially relevant in sportscars; no giving back free laps to cars who were rightfully lapped.
ryanoceros (@ryanoceros)
5th March 2024, 20:51
Le Mans does use safety cars and the slow zones do not replace safety cars so I don’t understand the reference. I agree it is technologically possible to rid ourselves of safety cars but I don’t see a good reason to do so. The replacement technology would still interrupt the race when needed.
An Sionnach
5th March 2024, 9:32
Please give Alonso a new car, Aston!
tielemst
5th March 2024, 9:53
Can’t wait till it’s also available as an add on for EA F1 24 at $ 14.99
Coventry Climax
5th March 2024, 16:47
Oh? You like driving safety cars in racegames?
Well, at least you’re out front..
tielemst
6th March 2024, 11:08
Nah, that’s just for unlocking. If you want to drive it, it’ll cost you extra.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
5th March 2024, 11:29
The new management team at Alpine must be terrified that their car won’t be able to keep up with it. :)
Stewart
6th March 2024, 16:27
Now that made me laugh out loud for real, big applause.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
5th March 2024, 16:16
I’d genuinely be interested to hear if Bernd Maylander has a preference between the Aston and the Merc. However, I know that he will not be allowed to answer that question!
I’d more specifically like to know if he has to change his driving style or reference points from one car to the other.
Coventry Climax
5th March 2024, 16:50
So would I, that’s why I already asked:
So far, no answers unfortunately. Too preoccupied with drama, presumably.
I’ll see what I can find..
ryanoceros (@ryanoceros)
5th March 2024, 20:53
Last year the Merc was clearly the better car. Max dubbed the Aston Martin a “turtle” in comparison.
bull mello (@bullmello)
5th March 2024, 21:49
Hmmmm… Kinda looks like a Mazda…
Maciek (@maciek)
5th March 2024, 22:51
Car design is really not living through its most imaginative age.