New 656bhp Aston Martin F1 safety car breaks cover in Bahrain

Since 2021, security automotive duties have been shared between long-standing provider Mercedes – which runs a 720bhp AMG GT Black Sequence track-focused sports activities automotive – and the upgraded Aston Martin Vantage F1 Version.

That outgoing Aston mannequin is sort of 200bhp much less highly effective than the Mercedes, produces much less downforce and is 45kg heavier.

Given the following distinction in lap time, with the Mercedes estimated to be 5 seconds faster, Max Verstappen famously labelled the Vantage a “turtle” for not circulating quick sufficient to permit drivers to keep up tyre temperature.

Talking on the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, the now reigning three-time world champion mentioned: “The security automotive was driving so gradual, it was like a turtle. Unbelievable.

“To drive 140 [km/h] on the again straight, there was not a broken automotive, so I do not perceive why we’ve got to drive so slowly. We’ve got to research.

“For positive, the Mercedes security automotive is quicker due to the additional aero, as a result of this Aston Martin is basically gradual. It undoubtedly wants extra grip, as a result of our tyres had been stone chilly.

“It is fairly horrible the best way we’re driving behind the security automotive in the mean time.”

A newly upgraded security automotive will change Aston Martin’s earlier providing, pictured on the 2023 Qatar GP

Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs

Nevertheless, Aston is about to debut a brand new security automotive this season in step with the Vantage having been closely up to date as a part of a mid-life refresh.

Together with revised bodywork and new grille, energy has been elevated by 150bhp to 656bhp courtesy of larger turbochargers, extra cooling and new camshafts for its AMG-supplied 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

The brand new Vantage has been noticed testing forward of the opening day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, full with a rear wing and darkish inexperienced and black camouflage livery.

Motorsport.com understands that the brand new Vantage will likely be launched for the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, the second race of the marketing campaign.

The Aston Martin F1 crew and its Vantage security automotive carry important branding from Aramco, the Saudi state oil firm.

The brand new Vantage, its GT3 racing counterpart and the AMR24 F1 challenger had been all launched on 12 February.

Aston additionally offers the F1 medical automotive, which in 2023 was upgraded from the usual DBX sports activities utility automobile to the upgraded 707 mannequin, named in deference of its energy output.