When the lights go out for the start of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ season in Bahrain this Sunday, Aston Martin will raise the intensity by unleashing the might of the world’s most powerful ultra-luxury SUV, DBX707, as an Official FIA Medical Car of Formula 1®.
The critically acclaimed DBX707 has received significant engine, transmission, suspension, and brake upgrades, which have elevated the Aston Martin brand to the pinnacle of SUV performance. Add to that pin-point dynamics, new commanding body styling and an upgraded interior, and DBX707 becomes the point at which performance meets luxury. It is the fastest, most powerful, best handling and most engaging car of its kind.
Responsible for the vital task of transporting the sport’s medics to the scene of an incident, the previous DBX Medical Car saw its share of action during the past two Grand Prix seasons, and now DBX707 is ready to take its natural place on the world’s greatest circuits.
Achieving 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds, DBX707 boasts 707PS with 900NM of torque. Engineered with an abundance of character and compelling capability, the drivers of the Official Medical Car of Formula 1® will now be able to get the medics to where they are needed faster than before.
Supplying the official cars has supported Aston Martin’s product development, with data gathered from the DBX being driven by a professional driver around the Grand Prix circuits helping its vehicle dynamics experts push boundaries while developing the high-performance DBX707.
One of the key upgrades is the introduction of a new wet clutch transmission, providing noticeably faster gear changes and an improved launch capability known as “Race Start” that is ready and waiting for the call to action from Race Control. Also key to the dynamic feel of the car, Pirelli, Formula 1® Global Tyre Partner, provides specifically developed P Zero tyres underlining the DBX707’s driver-focused credentials.
The DBX707 will be fully adapted and equipped for its role as Official FIA Medical Car. The essential equipment required, such as fire extinguishers, medical bags and a defibrillator all has its own place in the DBX707 so it is easy to check everything is onboard. The car is fitted with FIA-approved racing seats, each with a six-point racing harness as it will be driven to the limits on the track. The passengers will have access to communications from Race Control, and be able to see not only the FIA Marshalling system but biometric data from the F1® drivers and live television images, which will allow early assessment of any incident.
Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Chief Technology Officer, said: “DBX707 is the perfect vehicle for the critical role as an Official FIA Medical Car of Formula 1®, providing the performance and punch required for the world’s greatest racing circuits, in addition to the flexibility and space required by the sport’s officials and medics.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Formula 1® and the FIA this season, with the pinnacle of motorsport a perfect environment for Aston Martin to showcase the capabilities of our ultra-luxury high-performance cars. With the eyes of the world on our products, there is pressure to perform, but that intensity pushes us to constantly improve. Seeing our cars used in an official capacity at such prestigious events is something that everyone at Aston Martin is very proud of.”
The now familiar sight of the Aston Martin Vantage FIA Safety Car leading the F1® cars around on the formation lap will remain in 2023 with a specially-adapted and equipped Aston Martin Vantage continuing as the Official Safety Car of Formula 1®. Developed by the Engineering team at Aston Martin’s world-leading sports car design and engineering facility in Gaydon, UK, this one-of-a-kind Vantage is the fastest of its kind and equipped with FIA-specified safety equipment for its crucial role in F1®.
Alan van der Merwe, FIA Medical Car driver said: “The updated FIA Medical Car is an impressive step forward and ensures that we will keep pace in the high-speed world of Formula 1®. It’s definitely going to allow the Medical Car team to fully focus on the job and respond quickly and safely during any on-track deployments. It’s great to be heading into a new season well prepared and well equipped.”
Driven by the vastly-experienced Bernd Mayländer, the Vantage FIA Safety Car is also packed with performance learnings from the many Aston Martin Vantage race cars that compete across the globe every year. The multiple-championship-winning Vantage continues to storm the international GT racing stage, and has already had a winning start to the 2023 racing season by taking the GT victory in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The Safety Car is inspired by Aston Martin’s highly desirable Vantage Formula 1® Edition, which has proved a huge commercial success since being launched in 2021 to celebrate the marque’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Attracting a new breed of customers to the brand, customer research indicates that more than 72% of Vantage Formula 1® Edition owners have never previously owned an Aston Martin, further demonstrating the importance of Formula 1® as a crucial pillar of Aston Martin’s overall brand strategy.
With both the Vantage and DBX707 painted in the same iconic Aston Martin Racing Green colours as the two Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team cars driven by experienced racer Lance Stroll and two-time F1® World Champion, Fernando Alonso, they will be impossible to miss when the 2023 Formula 1® season roars into life this weekend.
