In the world of million-dollar supercars, there's a growing appreciation for those who do more than just park their prized possessions in climate-controlled garages. While owning an automotive masterpiece is undoubtedly a symbol of prestige and luxury, the true essence of these incredible machines lies in their ability to be driven, be it daily or as hobby cars during the weekends. It seems that Aston Martin understands this sentiment and is on a mission to encourage owners of the Valkyrie to unleash the beast on the tarmac rather than merely keeping it as a collectible. "Ultimately it’s up to the customer what they do,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's creative boss, in a recent interview with Top Gear . "If they want to buy a Valkyrie and stick it in a museum, great. But you want to hear and see them. You want to look at Instagram feeds of Valkyries driving through tunnels. That’s why we make them. You want people to enjoy them.” Gallery: Aston Martin Valkyrie … [Read more...] about Aston Martin Doesn’t Want The Valkyrie To Be A Garage Queen
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Aston Martin admits it must turn around trend of F1 season
The Silverstone-based outfit began 2023 as Red Bull’s main challenger, with Fernando Alonso rolling off five podium finishes from the first six races. He also had a shot at winning the Monaco Grand Prix. But since the midpoint of the season, Aston Martin’s form has fallen back, and Alonso has had just one podium – second place in the Dutch GP – in the last eight races. It has also slipped back to fourth in the constructors’ championship and now runs the risk of falling to fifth, behind the resurgent McLaren squad, if it does not lift its performance over the rest of the year. Team principal Mike Krack is aware of the need for things to improve, as he acknowledged it would be bad for morale if the team ended the year on the back foot. Asked if it was critical Aston Martin did not see out 2023 drifting backwards, Krack said: “Yeah, I 100% agree. This is very important. It's a bit of the opposite of last year. “If you have a good start, and then others are overtaking … [Read more...] about Aston Martin admits it must turn around trend of F1 season
Fernando Alonso proven wrong over ‘too optimistic’ ambition for F1 2023 season
The results Fernando Alonso has achieved in Formula 1 in 2023 came as something of a shock, even for the Spaniard… With six podiums from the first eight races this season, Fernando Alonso briefly looked capable of challenging for the runner-up spot in the Drivers’ Championship. However, in the last eight races, Alonso has only scored one podium and has slipped to fourth. Worse, he now has to look over his shoulder at the approaching Ferrari drivers, both of whom could still displace him further by the end of the championship. Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin wants to make the next step next year With Alonso slipping away in the championship as a result of Aston Martin’s slow but steady decline as the team have struggled to keep pace through the relentless development cycle of the established front-running teams, Alonso said he never even thought the results he’s achieved this season would have been possible when he first put pen to paper to join the Silverstone-based squad. “To … [Read more...] about Fernando Alonso proven wrong over ‘too optimistic’ ambition for F1 2023 season
Jordan’s original Formula 1 factory to be demolished next summer
Aston Martin plan to knock down their former headquarters, which has been used by Formula 1 teams since 1991, next year. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The old base is being destroyed to make way for the new facility Aston Martin is building at a cost of up to £200 million . Eddie Jordan Racing’s eponymous boss commissioned the creation of the factory, which sits on a road opposite British Grand Prix venue Silverstone , in 1990 when he wanted to take his successful junior single-seater team into F1. It was used by Jordan from his team’s debut in 1991 through to the end of 2005, when it was sold to the Midland Group. The team raced as Midland in 2006, as Spyker in 2007 and then as Force India from 2008 to 2018. When a Lawrence Stroll-led consortium then bought the team after it faced financial struggles, it rebranded to Racing Point and then last year became Aston Martin. Cars designed and constructed in the factory have won five grands prix. The … [Read more...] about Jordan’s original Formula 1 factory to be demolished next summer
Records smashed and winning runs wrecked: The 2022 F1 season in stats
The 73rd season in the Formula 1 world championship was a record-setting one in a variety of ways with new all-time benchmarks set and some long-running sequences coming to an end. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free A 15-year continuous run ended for Lewis Hamilton , as did a peculiar record held by Daniel Ricciardo. And something happened in 2022 that has not occurred in Formula 1 since the 1979 season. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are some of the most outstanding records that were either set, broken or ended in the 2022 season… Record breakers Max Verstappen soared to unparalleled heights in 2022. As well as successfully defending his world championship title from 2021, he set a new all-time record for most wins in a single season with 15, breaking clear of Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s previous record of 13. Despite the incredible achievement, Verstappen’s season win percentage (68.18%) was actually lower than both … [Read more...] about Records smashed and winning runs wrecked: The 2022 F1 season in stats
Vettel removed controversial ‘climate crime’ helmet for Canadian Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel did not wear his helmet drawing attention to “Canada’s climate crime” during yesterday’s Canadian Grand Prix. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free However his Aston Martin team insisted they did not require him to stop wearing the helmet, which he sported on Friday and Saturday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve . Vettel’s helmet and accompanying T-shirt bearing the slogans “Stop mining tar sands” and “Canada’s climate crime” made him a focus of attention after a local political accused him of “hypocrisy” . Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack denied the team had told him to stop wearing the design. “No, no,” he said when asked. “I mean, he wanted to create awareness with the T-shirt and the helmet. And then at one point, he decided the awareness is created, let’s say, and that was it, and took it off. And he cannot wear the same T-shirt every day!” Vettel reverted to the ‘No War’ helmet design which he has worn since the start of the … [Read more...] about Vettel removed controversial ‘climate crime’ helmet for Canadian Grand Prix
Vettel removes image of disputed flag from “No War” helmet after complaint to FIA
Sebastian Vettel has removed the image of a disputed flag from the special helmet he is wearing at testing in Bahrain after a complaint was made to the FIA. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The Aston Martin driver drew the ire of the Cyprus Automobile Association after featuring the flag of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on his helmet. The territory, formed after the annexation of part of northern Cyprus, adopted the flag after declaring its independence in 1983. However its identity is only recognised by Turkey. Vettel revealed a special helmet design at the start of testing in Bahrain yesterday. It features the message “No War” and draws attention to the conflict in Ukraine using the country’s blue and yellow colours. The base of the helmet also features representations of many different flags. Among them is the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its white background and red details resembles a Turkish flag with … [Read more...] about Vettel removes image of disputed flag from “No War” helmet after complaint to FIA
Shock as rookie wins 100th Indianapolis 500
The 100th running of the famous Indianapolis 500 saw a former Formula One driver becoming a surprise first rookie winner since 2001. Elsewhere both Super Formula and the Nurburgring 24 Hours were affected by abnormal weather conditions while the World Touring Car Championship encountered tyre dramas at the Nordschleife. Indycar Round 6 of 16: Indianapolis 500 Alexander Rossi took victory on his first attempt at the Indianapolis 500 with a brilliantly calculated fuel-saving drive. In just his first season of Indycar Rossi has had a tough start to the year but has showed signs of improvement, and eleventh in qualifying was another step forward. He never looked like a contender though until he was left out during a late caution to clear the wrecked cars of Mikhail Aleshin and Conor Daly, and despite falling out of sync with everyone else and pitting 36 laps from the end for fuel, he nursed his car to the finish. Carlos Munoz finished an equally surprising second to complete … [Read more...] about Shock as rookie wins 100th Indianapolis 500
“Yes I am a hypocrite” admits Vettel after politician’s broadside over oil sands helmet
Sebastian Vettel responded to Canadian politician Sonya Savage’s description of him as a hypocrite by stating: “Yes, I am.” Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The Aston Martin driver said he was disappointed the Alberta politician resorted to a personal attack in reaction to his environmental activism. Vettel is wearing a special helmet design at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix highlighting the environmental impact of Canada’s oil sands mining. He was also pictured in a T-shirt of similar design earlier this week. The Athabasca, Peace River and Cold Lake oil sands combined form the world’s third largest known deposit of crude oil. However, extracting oil from the heavy sands is three to five times more energy intensive than pumping it from wells and has devastating environmental effects. The deforestation required to access the mining sites, and emission of run-off and oil-infused sand, has created what is called the world’s most … [Read more...] about “Yes I am a hypocrite” admits Vettel after politician’s broadside over oil sands helmet