Formula One returns from its summer break with a faster and more powerful safety car leading the grid. The Aston Martin Vantage S has officially replaced the standard Vantage as the F1 safety car, debuting at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The updated model features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 671bhp and 590lb ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202mph. These improvements make it slightly quicker and more capable than the outgoing version, and in F1, every fraction of a second counts.
The upgrade comes after earlier criticism from drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who felt the previous Vantage lacked pace during safety car periods. The new Vantage S addresses those concerns with added performance and aerodynamic upgrades.
Enhancements include functional bonnet blades for better engine cooling and a larger rear wing for improved downforce. The familiar lightbar remains on top, confirming its official role.
FIA safety car driver Bernd Mayländer expressed his excitement about driving the most performance-focused Vantage ever on the world’s top circuits. With these upgrades, Aston Martin aims to meet the speed and safety demands of modern Formula One.
