Aston Martin Vantage S Named Official F1 Safety Car
Aston Martin intensifies its presence at the front of the F1® grid as the new Vantage S becomes an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1®. The most performance-focused Vantage yet joins the marque’s legendary line of high-performance S models and will make its Formula 1® debut at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend.
The hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 680 PS and 800 Nm of torque. This specially equipped Vantage S sprints from 0–62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and reaches 202 mph, proving it can lead the world’s fastest racing cars under safety car conditions. Aston Martin adds aerodynamic upgrades, including a new rear deck spoiler, and fits the FIA lightbar to maximise stability and visibility during deployment.
Alex Long, Global Marketing Director at Aston Martin, said: “Vantage S represents the peak of performance for the model that is the beating heart of the Aston Martin brand. With increased power and even greater dynamic prowess, this car was destined to take on the prestigious role as an F1® Safety Car, and it will be a source of great pride for our colleagues and our customers to see it leading the pack whenever it is called upon. In terms of brand awareness, nothing can compete with Formula 1® and we are proud to play our part in what we believe is the greatest show on earth.”
The Aston Martin Vantage S embodies the brand’s passion for driving intensity. F1® fans will see centrally mounted bonnet blades that optimise the extraction of hot air from the hot-V configured V8, plus a full-width decklid spoiler that increases rear downforce and keeps the overall aero balance biased to the front. This set-up gives Official Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer exceptional turn-in response and firm cornering grip, essential when followed by the world’s best racing drivers and machines.
Bernd Mayländer, FIA Safety Car Driver, said: “The introduction of the Vantage S as the Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1® represents yet another clear step forward in the Vantage’s performance capability, exhibiting capabilities that further allow me to effectively respond quickly and safely when we receive the call for on-track deployment. I’m delighted to be one of the very first to drive the Vantage S and look forward to experiencing the world’s greatest circuits in the most performance-focused Vantage to date.”
The Aston Martin Vantage S, painted in Podium Green to match the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team cars, becomes a thrilling new addition to Formula 1®, alongside the Aston Martin DBX707, which continues as an Official FIA Medical of Formula 1®. Safety has never looked, or sounded, so exhilarating.
