FÓRMULA 1

Aston Martin's growing prominence in Formula 1

Aston Martin will receive further recognition when the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season kicks off this Sunday in Bahrain when it becomes the official FIA Formula One medical car. a third season as an official FIA Safety Car in Formula 1.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Formula 1 and the FIA this season, with the pinnacle of motorsport providing a perfect environment for Aston Martin to showcase the capabilities of our ultra-luxury high-performance cars,” said Roberto Fedeli, Aston boss. Martin. chief technology officer, in a statement.

“The DBX707 is the perfect vehicle for the critical role of the official FIA Formula 1 medical car, providing the performance and power required for the world's greatest racing circuits, as well as the flexibility and space required by the sport's officials and doctors. ”

An updated DBX707 ... To serve Formula 1, the DBX707 received significant engine, transmission, suspension and braking improvements, as well as revised body styling, updated interior and more precise dynamics. The DBX707 generates 707 metric horsepower, or 697 imperial horsepower, and 900 newton-meters of torque, or 664 pound-feet. This ensures that the medical car arrives at the accident site much faster than before.

A new wet-clutch transmission that offers considerably faster gear changes and a greater launch capability known as a “Race Start” that is ready and waiting for Race Control's call to action is one of the modifications that allows for more responsiveness than expected. Never. Also essential to the car's dynamics are Pirelli's specially designed P-Zero tyres.

But beyond mere upgrades, the Aston Martin DBX707 Official FIA Medical Car will be equipped with the necessary equipment, including fire extinguishers, medical bags and a defibrillator. Given that the DBX707 will be driven at high speeds on the track, it is also fitted with FIA-approved racing seats with six-point harnesses. About. On a more practical note, passengers will be able to communicate with Race Control and will be fed the FIA Marshalling system, as well as F1 drivers' biometric data and live television.

“This will definitely allow the Medical Car team to fully focus on the job and respond quickly and safely during any track deployment,” said Alan van der Merwe, FIA Medical Car driver. "It's great to go into a new season well prepared and well equipped."

Another Aston leads Formula 1 ... In 2023, the Aston Martin Vantage FIA Safety Car will lead the Formula 1 cars on the formation lap, so Aston Martins will be visible, in addition to the support vehicles, from the start of the race. This special Vantage was created by the engineering team at Aston Martin's design and engineering department in Gaydon, UK, and comes with FIA stipulated safety features.

It's the ideal Safety Car, as it took the GT victory at the Rolex January 24 at Daytona. The Safety Car is inspired by the Aston Martin Vantage Formula 1 Edition.

A racing-inspired road car...More than just a sticker and stripe update, the Aston Martin Vantage Formula 1 Edition wears the racing team's Aston Martin Racing Green color and is accented with a wide rear wing. The car's grille receives horizontal stripes and there are 21-inch wide shoes.

Under the hood resides a Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that delivers 527 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and electronic limited-slip rear differential are standard and have revised software. It also gets 10% stiffer springs and an adaptive suspension with superior rebound damping, while the front suspension gets additional negative wheel camber.

And like its track sibling, it's shod in Pirelli P Zero tyres. But Aston Martin remains busy as it makes the transition to electrification of internal combustion engine power.

In January, the company revealed more details about the DBS 770 Ultimate, the company's penultimate internal combustion GT supercar. This year will be the last for Aston Martins powered by internal combustion engines alone, as the 2024 Valhalla is scheduled to be launched by the end of the year.

Changes come when the company appointed Tony Joseph, 54, as Aston Martin Lagonda Regional President for the Americas, having previously served as former President of McLaren Americas.

Altogether, it marks a new era for the brand, which retains its core focus as a supplier of high-performance luxury cars. It's the heart of a brand fit to support the world's most respected and watched racing series.

by Larry Printz, Detroit Bureau