Fernando Alonso takes delivery of new Aston Martin Valkyrie
Two time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso recently took delivery of his new Aston Martin Valkyrie in Monaco.
Alonso’s Valkyrie was built as a bespoke car in collaboration with the Spanish driver using the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service. It takes inspiration from his team’s F1 car, wearing the same Satin Aston Martin Racing Green although given the personal touch with bespoke lime graphics. The roof, engine cover and lower aero are made from carbon fibre while a titanium Aston Martin badge sits on the nose.
Inside the cabin, there’s plenty more exposed carbon fibre. Black Alcantara seats have contrasting lime stitching, which is also used for the Alonso logo embroidered into the headrests. Another personal touch comes in the form of the number 14 etched into the accelerator pedal, the 43 year old’s driver number since 1996.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie pushes the limit of production car capability, accelerating from 0-60mph in under 2.5 seconds thanks to its 1,138bhp 6.5-litre hybrid V12 powertrain. The Valkyrie was collaboratively built by Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing as an F1 level track car useable and enjoyable on the road.
Only 150 examples have been created, each taking over 2000 man hours to complete at Aston Martin’s UK Headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Each Valkyrie is tested down the road at Silverstone before it is delivered to its customer.
Fernando Alonso: “It’s hard to put into words how much I have been looking forward to this day”.
“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.”
Is Adrian Newey closing in on a move to Aston Martin?
One of the masterminds behind the creation of the Aston Martin Valkyrie is Red Bull engineer Adrian Newey and the majority of the Formula 1 season so far has been dominated by debate surrounding his future. Rumours began to circulate earlier this week of an announcement around the corner, potentially before the next race in Azerbaijan, confirming a move to Aston Martin.
Newey has already left the F1 side of Red Bull, fully concentrating his efforts on the upcoming RB17 hypercar. He is set to fully leave the company in the first quarter of 2025 and was said to be offered deals by Ferrari, Williams and Aston Martin.
However, it looks likely that Newey will join Aston Martin, with the chance to stay in Britain reportedly influential in his decision as well as the opportunity to own shares in the company.
Chairman of Aston Martin Lawrence Stroll recently revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that he’d been “talking for years” to Newey with the hope of him eventually joining the team. Newey was given a tour of Aston Martin’s Silverstone facility during the summer.
”Adrian and I have been talking not only for months but actually for years,” Stroll said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday.
"Adrian is clearly the most talented and gifted individual in F1 based on his track record and history.
"So I'd be very excited for Adrian to join our team, as I think every other F1 team on the grid would feel exactly the same.”
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words: Mike Booth
pictures: Aston Martin