Daniel Ricciardo’s Aston Martin Valkyrie part of upcoming Zoute Concours auction
Daniel Ricciardo may no longer be a part of the Formula 1 grid, but that hasn’t stopped him from compiling an impressive collection of cars. One of those - an Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar - will be one of 70 collectable cars available to buy in the upcoming inaugural Broad Arrow Zoute Concours Auction on October 10th at Approach Golf in Knokke-Heist.
Closest experience to driving an F1 car on the road
The Aston Martin Valkyrie was the result of a collaboration between the British brand and Red Bull Racing, with Adrian Newey playing a significant role in its development and design. Throw in a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 from Cosworth putting out 1,000hp and a redline of 11,100rpm, and the Valkyrie represents the closest experience to driving an F1 car on the road.
The example owned by Ricciardo is in pristine condition and was specially commissioned by the 36-year-old driver. Ricciardo’s spell at Red Bull coincided with the development of the prototype in 2016, and the Aussie was clearly impressed enough to earmark one for himself.
Personalised by the former Red Bull man
The former Red Bull man worked with Aston Martin’s ‘Q’ division to make chassis number 89 his own, spending £30,000 on its Dichroic Dawn ‘Badger Blue’ paintwork as a nod to his ‘Honey Badger’ nickname. Other exterior spec highlights include lightweight matte black magnesium performance wheels with Badger Blue centres and upper suspension shrouds rendered in exposed 2x2 twill satin carbon.
Inside, Pure Black Debossed Alcantara is used throughout, along with 2x2 twill satin carbon fibre, while the carbon fibre bucket seats are finished in Pure Black Alcantara with contrasting silver stitching. The removable steering wheel is finished with silver-anodised toggle switches. The Valkyrie has amassed only 100 miles on the clock and is surely one of the most interesting of the 150 produced by Aston Martin. It is expected to fetch up to £2.5 million at auction.
“Will we ever see another car like this again? I can't predict the future,” commented Ricciardo. “But when you ask if it is the pinnacle of road legal technology, then yes, I think it is.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Broad Arrow Auctions