F1: New Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car Packs 656BHP V8 Engine and Multiple Screens

In 2024, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the brand new Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car will make its premiere and be designated as the fastest Aston Martin ever. Reigning champion Max Verstappen compared the previous Vantage Formula 1 Safety Car's performance to that of a turtle, highlighting the criticism levelled against it for its slowness. In response to this criticism, Aston Martin completely reworked the safety car, giving it an additional 153bhp for a total of 656bhp. The newly revealed road-going Vantage has a distinct appearance compared to the F1 Safety Car version, which stands out with its distinctive front splitter and large rear wing. A redesigned underfloor for optimised airflow is one component of a more complete aerodynamic kit that these parts make up. As an example of Aston Martin's focus to efficiency and performance in their Formula 1 safety vehicle, even the roof-mounted light bar has been redesigned to improve aerodynamics.

Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car: Interior

There have been major changes to the car's cabin as well. To ensure the comfort and safety of both driver Bernd Maylander and the passenger, the regular seats have been swapped out for Recaro Pole Position bucket seats that come with a racing harness. In order to accommodate the switchgear that is integral to the obligatory FIA systems, Aston Martin painstakingly altered the centre console to incorporate an abundance of buttons.

On the passenger side of the cockpit, you'll find two screens that enhance the functionality. One shows the current lap times, the other shows the locations of all the cars on the track. Additionally, there's a feed from the rearview camera. As a nod to Aston Martin's signature Racing Green livery, the entire cabin is adorned with Lime Essence trim, which is exclusive to the Vantage F1 Safety Car.

Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car: Engine

With a 30 per cent increase in power over the previous model, the new Vantage is the fastest of its kind thanks to its powerful, hand-built 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8 engine. This guarantees that the Vantage Safety Car is consistently fast off the line. The engine is based on the new Vantage and it didn't need any modifications to become the FIA Safety Car.

F1 Safty Cars

Since 2021, Aston Martin and Mercedes have worked together to share the duties of the Formula One Safety Car alongside Mercedes providing the AMG GT Black Series. These cars are similar in more ways than one; for example, the Vantage has an AMG twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine.

Bernd Maylander, FIA Safety Car Driver, commented: "It is a pleasure to drive the Aston Martin Vantage. The car comes from an incredible bloodline and this newest version is the fastest yet. My first impressions were very positive as I could immediately feel the improvement in handling and, of course, power. We need a car that is fast and focused so we can respond quickly and safely when we receive the call for on-track deployment and Vantage provides that. I have enjoyed driving Vantage during the past three seasons and I'm happy to now be one of the first to drive the new Vantage and experience its full performance pedigree on the world's greatest circuits."

The AMG GT 63 S Four-Door Coupe is another road vehicle that has been modified for use on Formula One tracks. It is used as a medical car and alternates with the DBX707.