All You Need to Know About the New Aston Martin F1 Safety Car – The Vantage

F1 have opted to go into the 2021 season with a new brand safety car supplier in Aston Martin. The brand that is returning to the sport as a competitor will also be sharing safety car duties with the erstwhile Mercedes-AMG GT R.

Aston Martin unveiled the Vantage as their choice of safety car for the upcoming season. It was unveiled alongside the Aston Martin DBX, which will share the Medical car duties with the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S. Both British cars will sport the team’s traditional British Racing Green colors, the same that was seen on the F1 car, the AMR 21.

Let’s have a closer look at Aston Martin’s safety car and delve into some juicy specifications of the machine that will lead the grid on the formation lap.

All you need to know about the Aston Martin Vantage

The car in use will be specifically modified for the purpose of being a safety car. As such, it is fitted with two FIA-approved racing seats instead of the standard seats. It’ll also feature two dash-mounted screens and a switch control system with a wide array of buttons.

Underneath the hood, it is powered by an AMG-sourced 4.0 liter V8 engine. However, the engine’s power has been ramped up from 503 bhp to almost 530 bhp. Although the Torque output remains the same as the road car at 505 lb ft, it will be sustained for longer.

The downforce of the Vantage has also been amped up. The new grille and splitter will create a downforce of 155.6 kg at 124 mph, 60kg more than the road version.

Additionally, the front suspensions have been stiffened, the dampers have been modified, and a new aero kit has been installed. It’ll also feature lower-profile tires and a new wing.

Overall, the car looks brilliant. It will serve in 12 of the 23 races, making its debut in Bahrain on March 28. By the looks of it, the Vantage will not make fans miss the iconic Mercedes safety car.

But if fans want to buy the road version, the cost may be a bit of a pinch. The cheapest version starts at $146,000 for the two-door coupe. However, the sheer speed of the car (190 mph at top speed) and acceleration (0-60mph in 3.7 seconds) will more than justify it.

Also Read: Sebastian Vettel Not Planning to Stock His Garage With Aston Martin Company Cars – ‘It’s Good to Have a Little More Space’