Aston Martin Reveals New Safety Car for the 2021 F1 Season

Special Vantage

Aston Martin recently marked its return to the FIA Formula One World Championship with a pair of racers, but those aren't the only vehicles on the track that bear AM's crest. They'll be joined, for the first time, by an Aston Martin safety car - a specially-equipped Vantage that's been fitted with some rather significant aerodynamic and chassis upgrades.

Photos: Aston Martin

Drivers

Bernd Mayländer, who has served as an F1 safety car driver for over 20 years now, will pilot the special Vantage. When deployed by Race Control in the event of bad weather or an accident, former race driver and co-driver, Richard Darker will take to the track at the head of the field to safely control the pace of the pack, neutralizing the event and allowing any incident to be managed safely by the circuit’s officials.

Photos: Aston Martin

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Track Upgrades

The Vantage safety car has been treated to a variety of upgrades including a 24 horsepower bump for its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, along with a new vane grille and front splitter that combine to generate up to 342 pounds of downforce at 155 miles-per-hour, revised transmission tuning, underbody bracing, beefed-up suspension components, and lower-profile tires.

Photos: Aston Martin

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Distinguishing Factors

The safety car mimics the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team car with an all-new paint color - 2021 Aston Martin Racing Green - which was developed specifically to celebrate the brand's return to Formula 1 racing after more than 60 years.  The Vantage is otherwise distinguished by its prominent FIA safety car livery, bodyside mounted radio antennas, an LED rear number plate, and a bespoke, roof-mounted LED light-bar.

Photos: Aston Martin

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Matching Pair

In addition to the Vantage safety car, Aston Martin has also created a DBX medical vehicle for use at F1 events. As the safety car, the medical car is distinguishable by its 2021 Aston Martin Racing Green paint with Lime Green accents, as well as the prominent FIA medical car livery, LED rear number plate, and roof-mounted LED light-bar which sits upon the roof rails. 

Photos: Aston Martin

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High Tech Equipment

The DBX carries a defibrillator, a large medical bag, two fire extinguishers, and a burn kit. The central rear seat has been removed, and the remaining four have been replaced with sport bucket seats, each equipped with a 6-point safety harness. Like the safety car, two screens have been mounted onto the dashboard to provide live race footage.  An additional screen is used to read live biometric data delivered via technology in the drivers' gloves, which in the event of an accident, provides critical information on their condition.

Photos: Aston Martin

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Proud Moment

"Together with the whole company, I am extremely proud of the Aston Martin brand's return to Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time in more than 60 years and represents the start of a significant new era for Aston Martin," said Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda. "To see our acclaimed Vantage, our most dynamic sports car, performing the role of the Official Safety Car of Formula 1 and our first SUV, DBX, operate as the Medical Car on Formula 1 circuits around the world is a proud moment for us all."

Photos: Aston Martin

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