The Formula 1® Official Safety Car and Official Medical Car play a critical role on race weekend, keeping some of the fastest motorsport drivers and machines safe and under control. But it’s not enough to just be visible; the cars have to be enormously quick, too. Enter the specially equipped Aston Martin DBX and Vantage for the 2021 Formula 1® season.
Engineered by an experienced team at Aston Martin’s Headquarters in Gaydon, the two cars benefit from significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements. With only a few additional modifications to make it FIA compliant, the new Vantage is appointed Official Safety Car at the pinnacle of Aston Martin performance.
Compared to the standard Vantage, power has increased by 25PS to 535PS, delivered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivering significant performance capability going from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. 685Nm of peak torque remains the same but is now sustained for longer, and with additional work on the transmission means the driver has a better sense of directness, precision, and control through upshifts and downshifts.
In the event of bad weather or an accident, the Vantage is ready to take to the track at the head of the field, safely controlling the pace of the pack, neutralizing the event and allowing any incident to be managed safely by the circuit’s officials.
This appointment coincides with Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1® racing at the end of this month. And for the first time in the history of the sport, both the Official Safety and Medical cars of Formula 1® will also bear the famous wings of the British luxury brand. Aston Martin DBX, the brand’s critically acclaimed first SUV, will also take on the role of an Official Medical Car of Formula 1®, showcasing its own power and handling prowess as it launches into action to support in the event of an emergency.
Powered by the 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine, also found in DB11 and Vantage, DBX provides an impressive output of 550PS and 700NM of torque which launches DBX from 0 to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 181mph. All this ensures the FIA medical team can respond effectively to an emergency. With a sound that is unquestionably Aston Martin, the active exhaust system means DBX will not only be seen, but heard, as it does.
