Fernando Alonso took to the streets of Monaco today in his new ride. Which would of course be an Aston Martin Valkyrie, given he drives for the brand’s F1 team.
Aston says the Valkyrie is an F1 car for the road, so Alonso should feel right at home behind the wheel. He helped develop the car as it happens. His particular example is a bespoke specification created in partnership with the design team at Aston Martin’s personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin. But then every one of the 150 will be unique.
Taking inspiration from his Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team AMR24 race car, Alonso’s Valkyrie is painted in Satin Aston Martin Racing Green with contrasting AMR Satin Lime Graphics. The special paint job highlights the aerodynamic features of the vehicle.
The Venturi Tunnel is finished in Speed Red and Light and Dark Blue painted graphics. Exposed Carbon Fibre adorns the roof, engine cover, and lower aero. A titanium Aston Martin Wings badge is stuck to the nose cone. And a bespoke ‘CAUTION HOT’ graphic has been applied to the rear.
Inside is awash with carbon fibre highlights and swathes of Pure Black Alcantra with contrasting AMR Lime stitch. Alonso’s logo is embroidered into the headrests in the same AMR Lime thread.
And a special detail is the red anodised aluminium accelerator pedal etched with the number ‘14’, the racer’s driver number. It references the day (14 July 1996) when he became karting world champion aged 14. He started out when he was three years old.
“It’s hard to put into words how much I have been looking forward to this day” he said.
“To sit at the wheel of my own Valkyrie, one that I have worked on designing so closely with the team at Q by Aston Martin, is certainly a day to remember.
“Valkyrie truly is an F1 car for the road, with so much of the knowledge and technology taken from all the experience Aston Martin has on track and I can’t wait to hit the road.”
The Valkyrie has a hybrid powertrain with a 6.5L V12 at its core. System output is 861kW, and Aston claims the hypercar can hit 100km/h in under 2.5sec.
With its aerodynamics and performance, Valkyrie is said to deliver one of the most intense driving experiences achievable on road. It was hand-built at the brand’s UK Headquarters in Gaydon. Each takes over 2000 man-hours to create. And they are all tested at Silverstone, the car’s development track, before delivery.
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