Limited McLaren MCL39 Models Debut Ahead Of Las Vegas Grand Prix

Amalgam Collection, the world’s leading creator of large scale hand-built model cars, has unveiled three new McLaren Racing masterpieces: the 1:8 scale McLaren MCL39, a full-size replica of the MCL39 steering wheel and a 1:18 scale model, offering collectors the complete MCL39 line-up. These editions celebrate McLaren’s standout performance at the 2025 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris delivered a race win and Oscar Piastri secured ninth place.

The £8,995 1:8 scale MCL39 captures McLaren’s 2025 challenger in remarkable detail. Measuring more than 70cm long and constructed from thousands of precision-engineered components, each model is hand-built over 250 hours following more than 2,500 hours of development using original CAD and paint specifications supplied and approved by McLaren Racing. Editions for both Norris and Piastri are strictly limited to just 99 pieces per driver.

Alongside it, Amalgam presents the £6,995 full-size replica MCL39 steering wheel – a completely accurate recreation of the real race-used component – also limited to just 99 pieces per driver. Featuring working buttons, switches, rotaries and paddles, each wheel is engineered and hand-finished to replicate the exact weight, feel and functionality of the drivers’ own equipment.

Completing the collection is the newly available £1,050 1:18 scale MCL39, measuring over 31cm (12in) long. Developed over 800 hours and featuring precisely engineered castings, photo-etched details and CNC-machined metal components, the model provides a beautifully crafted foundational piece to the MCL39 series while retaining Amalgam’s hallmark accuracy and craftsmanship.

Sandy Copeman, Founder of Amalgam Collection, said: “McLaren’s performance in Melbourne set the tone for their 2025 campaign, and we’re proud to capture that moment across a full model collection. Whether at 1:8, 1:18 or full-size steering wheel scale, each piece reflects the technical brilliance and excitement of modern Formula 1.

“In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in collectors viewing cars as art investments, and most of our models are themselves created as limited-edition artworks, with only a very small number available. 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for McLaren, and owning one of these ultra-limited Amalgam pieces is like owning a piece of automotive art that commemorates a defining season.”

Audi Unveils Design For Formula 1

115 days before its first race in Formula 1, Audi provided a preview of the company’s presence in the pinnacle of motorsport at its Brand Experience Center in Munich. Just like in future production models, Audi will bring uncompromising clarity to the racetrack and beyond.

“By entering the pinnacle of motorsport, Audi is making a clear, ambitious statement,” says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “It is the next chapter in the company’s renewal. Formula 1 will be a catalyst for the change towards a leaner, faster and more innovative Audi.” According to Döllner, Audi is entering the racing series with an ambitious yet realistic roadmap: “We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the status quo. By 2030, we want to fight for the World Championship title.”

The Formula 1 team will spearhead Audi’s new brand identity
The Audi R26 Concept is a clear statement and provides a preview of the colour scheme and design of the brand’s first Formula 1 race car, which will be unveiled in January. This visual identity is based on the recently introduced design philosophy and its four design principles: clear, technical, intelligent and emotional. “We are implementing a unifying design language that draws together every aspect of our organization,” says Audi Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella. “This makes the Formula 1 project a pioneer for the new brand identity, which will be rolled out in the future both for the F1 team and Audi as a whole.”

The R26 Concept is one of the first expressions of the brand’s new visual identity. Minimalist graphic surfaces, defined by precise geometric cuts, integrate seamlessly with the racing car’s geometry. The colour palette features titanium, carbon black and the newly introduced Audi red. As part of this identity, Audi will also sport red rings, used selectively to underscore its Formula 1 presence.

F1 as a global stage to demonstrate “Vorsprung durch Technik”
The Formula 1 project is a strategic flagship for Audi, reflecting the technological, cultural and entrepreneurial reinvention of the brand. It is intended to inspire customers and employees alike. Development and racing take place within an economically attractive framework: a cost cap applicable to all teams ensures a clearly defined budget and conditions, while the global reach of Formula 1 offers strong brand exposure and sponsorship opportunities.

Formula 1 has been a globally established sports platform for decades and, with more than 820 million fans, is the world’s most popular sports series. In 2024, around 1.6 billion TV viewers watched the races. The financial valuations of Formula 1 teams are in the billions. The future Audi F1 team already has three global corporations as partners – adidas, bp and future title partner Revolut – and there is great interest in supporting Audi in Formula 1.

To enter Formula 1, Audi acquired the Sauber Group in Switzerland in its entirety at the beginning of this year, thereby creating the conditions to bring Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund on board as an investor. At the helm of the Audi F1 Project are two experienced Formula 1 managers, former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley (formerly Red Bull), who report directly to Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. In terms of drivers, the company is relying on a combination of experience and youthful energy with seasoned racing driver Nico Hülkenberg (Germany) and young talent Gabriel Bortoleto (Brazil).

“Formula 1 is more than just motorsport,” says Jürgen Rittersberger, CFO of AUDI AG. “It’s entertainment, emotion, technology – and also a challenge. But it is precisely this combination that takes us where we want to go: inspiring new customer groups for Audi. With the enormous reach of Formula 1, we have the opportunity to attract new customers for our brand – especially in the younger target group, where Formula 1 is experiencing rapid growth. Thanks to the cost cap, Formula 1 is also more financially sustainable than ever before. When we look at the development of sponsorship opportunities, team evaluations, and the overall revenue potential in Formula 1, one thing becomes clear: This path makes perfect sense for Audi – also economically.”

From motorsport heritage to Formula 1 newcomer
Motorsport is part of the Audi DNA and has always been a driving force for technological progress and innovation. From the first mid-engine Grand Prix car to quattro all-wheel drive in rallying, to diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains at Le Mans, in Formula E and at the Dakar Rally, Audi has led every motorsport project to success with determination, courage, perseverance and team spirit, always pioneering new ground. The Formula 1 involvement of Audi is intended to build on this.

The pinnacle of motorsport is considered the toughest test laboratory in the world. The short development cycles, minimal chain of command and quick decisions are intended to serve as a model for the entire company. At the same time, Audi is close to the latest technological developments and materials. Thanks to open competition, Formula 1 serves as a technology driver for both electric mobility and sustainable e-fuels – both topics that are also highly relevant for production models. In these two areas, the regulations offer great freedom and scope for innovation.

Far-reaching changes to the technical regulations of Formula 1 from 2026 onwards present an ideal opportunity for Audi, as a newcomer, to enter the pinnacle of motorsport. All competitors will have to familiarize themselves with new regulations and technologies at the same time, both in terms of the chassis and the drivetrain.

Milestones and the journey toward Formula 1
Since spring 2022, Audi has been developing the power unit for Formula 1 in Neuburg an der Donau – the only operational location of an F1 team in Germany. It consists of a V6 internal combustion engine (ICE) with a displacement of 1.6 litres and turbocharging, an energy recovery system (ERS) including energy storage (ES) and an electric motor generator unit (MGU-K), as well as an electronic control unit (CU-K). In addition to the power unit, the gearbox is also being developed in Neuburg. Together with the power unit, they form what is known as the powertrain. The new technical regulations for F1 powertrains focus on greater road-car relevance with a new hybrid concept. The output of the electric motor has been tripled and will in future be on a comparable level with the combustion engine, which will be powered by sustainable fuels from 2026. Audi has been working exclusively with the British company bp on this since 2022.

Concept development for the F1 powertrain ‘made in Germany’ began in 2022. Just two years later, the complete powertrain ran dynamically as a unit for the first time in a race simulation on the test bench. Virtual simulations and digital development tools are particularly important here, as regulations mean that it will not be possible to test the new powertrains on a racetrack until early 2026. As with product development at Audi, dynamic driving simulators, digital tools and methods play a significant role in the development process. The first power units for use on the racetrack have now been completed and will be shipped from Neuburg an der Donau to their respective locations starting in December.

The team develops and builds the race cars at the F1 Factory in Hinwil. The Swiss location is also responsible for planning and executing race operations. In addition, a technology office has been in operation in Bicester in the UK since summer 2025. The presence in the so-called ‘Motorsport Valley’ gives the team access to additional F1 expertise. There is intensive technical cooperation between the locations to fully exploit the advantages and opportunities of a factory team through the seamless integration of power unit and chassis.

First race in Formula 1
The future Audi F1 team will make its full public debut at the official team launch in January 2026. Shortly thereafter, the first official test drives with the new-generation Formula 1 cars will take place at the end of January at Barcelona, Spain – still behind closed doors. During further tests in Bahrain (11–13 February and 18–20 February), the Audi factory team will test in Formula 1 in front of the public for the first time, before the brand’s eagerly awaited debut in the pinnacle of motorsport takes place in Melbourne (Australia) from 6–8 March.

Sting Energy Hits The Track With Formula 1

Sting Energy, a PepsiCo electrifying energy drink, has officially entered the fast-paced world of Formula 1 as its Official Energy Drink Partner. This official partnership, sparked by authentic fan curiosity even before the official reveal, began as a viral sound-driven moment and has since grown into a dynamic collaboration — racing from the track to screens worldwide.

In a sport like Formula 1, where fans obsess over every detail, Sting Energy tapped into the most iconic and visceral element of the experience: sound. On May 23, 2025, world-renowned DJ and producer Armin van Buuren posted a video unveiling a surprising discovery – the sound of “Stinggg” echoing through the roar of an F1 engine. While isolating audio layers from a race recording, Armin noticed an uncanny resemblance between the engine’s pitch and the sonic builds in his music. The post piqued global curiosity, as fans, creators, and even F1 icons joined the conversation. And with that, Sting Energy surfaced. Not as a familiar face in Formula 1, but as a bold new force ready to make its mark.

Joining the wave of excitement were Formula 1 legend Jenson Button and 2025 F2 Monaco Grand Prix winner Kush Maini, who amplified the moment with energized reactions – captivated by the sonic connection between Sting Energy and the roar of Formula 1. Their involvement added credibility to what many had dismissed as coincidence, showing it was something much more deliberate.

Without any official announcement or clear branding, people started to wonder quietly: could Sting Energy have been part of Formula 1 all along? The frenzy reached its peak at the Monaco Grand Prix, where F1 fans and influencers from around the world were seen recording the races – reacting in real-time as Sting Energy’s now unmistakable sonic signature revealed itself within the raw, high-octane roar of the track.

Making the discovery, world renowned DJ and record producer, Armin van Buuren said, “As a longtime F1 fan, I was revisiting some engine sounds in the studio when one frequency stood out, it almost sounded like ‘Sting.’ At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but the more I listened, the more melodic it became. It’s a great reminder that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places – even a car racing down the track.”

Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion driver added, “I’ve spent my entire life around Formula 1 – from the garage to the podium, and everywhere in between – and I thought I’d experienced every nuance the sport had to offer. But, when Armin played that engine clip and pointed out what he heard, I was genuinely surprised. I played it back and… There it was. ‘Sting.’ Clear as day. It’s strange, but also kind of brilliant – how something so familiar can hide in plain sight for so long. Once you hear it, you can’t ignore it.”

Commenting on the roar, Vandita Pandey, VP Marketing at PepsiCo, International Beverages, Energy, said, “Sometimes the most powerful brand moments aren’t manufactured – they’re discovered. This wasn’t just about launching a campaign; it was about listening to culture and amplifying what fans already felt. This partnership is more than regular sponsorship, it’s sonic alignment. Sting Energy didn’t just join Formula 1, it revealed it had always been there, embedded in the thrill, hidden in the sound; and now, the world knows. The brand officially takes its place on track with a future of vigorous fan experiences ahead.”

Jonny Haworth, Director of Commercial Partnerships, Formula 1, said, “Formula 1 has always been about more than just speed – it’s about emotion, energy, and the sensory experience that comes with every race. This partnership with Sting Energy taps into that energy in a fresh, creative way. It’s a celebration of the power of sound, and how culture and sport continue to collide in exciting new ways.”

With this partnership, Sting Energy will now supercharge fan experiences across 21 races– through immersive brand experiences, co-branded products, on-pack promotions, and digital storytelling.

Breaking away from the traditional sponsorship route, Sting Energy approached this collaboration in a way only it can – by tapping into the power of sound. In a sport where audio is emotion, physics, and adrenaline all at once, Sting Energy transformed a shared sensory experience into an unmissable brand moment. As part of the partnership, Sting Energy will now supercharge fan experiences across 21 races – through immersive brand activations, co-branded products, on-pack promotions, and digital storytelling.

PepsiCo, today, announced the groundbreaking multi-year global partnership with Sting Energy as the Official Energy Drink of Formula 1.

Goodwood Revival To Celebrate Jim Clark’s Life And Career

Goodwood is honoured to announce that this year’s Revival will celebrate the extraordinary life and career of Jim Clark – the Scottish farmer who is widely regarded as the most naturally gifted driver of all time.

2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Clark’s greatest season – indeed, arguably the greatest season by any driver in history. As well as winning six Grands Prix en route to his second World Championship, he also became the first driver to win the Indy 500 in a rear-engined car, and the first to do so at an average speed of more than 150mph. He remains the only driver to win the F1 World Championship and Indy 500 in the same season. Not only that, but he won the Tasman Cup (a single-seater series in Australia and New Zealand, run during the European winter and contested by the leading F1 teams and drivers), the French and British Formula 2 Championships, and races in everything from touring cars to sports prototypes.

Alongside these achievements, Jim Clark also won the final Formula 1 race at Goodwood, on Easter Monday 1965. This Saturday (19 April) marks the 60th anniversary, to the day, of that race, during which Clark, in a Lotus 25, also shared the lap record of 1m20.4 with his fellow Scot Jackie Stewart, in a BRM P261. Their joint time was never beaten, before the circuit closed to racing in July 1966, and so stands in perpetuity as the classic Goodwood lap record. Remarkably, on the same day he won the Sunday Mirror Trophy Formula 1 race, Clark also won the St Marys Trophy (a round of the British Saloon Car Championship) in a Lotus Cortina, and the Lavant Cup sports prototype race in a Lotus 30! His driving that day epitomised the virtuosity and versatility he exhibited across the whole season.

Jim Clark, who tragically died in an accident during a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim on 7 April 1968, ended his career with a then-record 25 victories and 33 pole positions from just 72 Grands Prix. Even now, six decades later, he still holds the record for the most ‘Grand Slams’ in Formula 1, when a driver takes pole position, victory, fastest lap, and leads every lap. Clark’s record of eight is two more than his nearest rival, Lewis Hamilton, whose score of six has come from 361 races!

Despite his extraordinary achievements as a driver, Jim Clark remained a humble farmer at heart, and liked nothing more than spending time on his farm, Edington Mains, near the village of Chirnside in the Scottish Borders, where he grew up. Even as he was winning World Championships and the Indy 500, and appearing on the cover of Time Magazine (as he did after his Indy win in 1965), he would return to Edington between races.

We look forward to celebrating all aspects of the remarkable achievements and legacy of Jim Clark – “farmer and world champion motor racing driver”, as the inscription on his gravestone reads – which, to this day, remain at the heart of motorsport at Goodwood.

Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time World Champion and joint Goodwood lap record holder said: “Jim Clark was not only a first-class racer, but he was a first-class friend. Jimmy and I enjoyed so much camaraderie both on and off the track and I am personally so pleased that Goodwood are choosing to celebrate this great man in this way”.

Dario Franchitti, four-time IndyCar Champion and three-time Indy 500 winner, said: “As a fellow Scot, Jim Clark has always been an inspiration to me, and following in his footsteps at the Indianapolis 500 was the highlight of my career. I have had the honour of driving a number of his cars over the years, and am proud to be a patron of the Jim Clark Trust. I’m looking forward to joining Goodwood in celebrating the life and achievements of a true legend of our sport and will also be attending the Jim Clark Trust event at Duns Castle in June.”

The Duke of Richmond CBE DL said: “It’s such a privilege to celebrate Jim Clark at the Goodwood Revival this year. His achievements in 1965 are the stuff of legend, including uniquely winning the Formula 1 World Championship and Indy 500 in the same season. I vividly remember watching him win the final F1 race at Goodwood, on Easter Monday 1965, in which he and Jackie Stewart set the ultimate Goodwood lap record. Having such strong links to Goodwood, and in a year that marks several significant anniversaries, we are hugely proud to be paying tribute to Jim Clark – considered by some to be the greatest driver of all time– over the Revival weekend.”

Doug Niven, Jim Clark’s cousin, and a family trustee of the Jim Clark Trust, said: “The Jim Clark Trust is delighted to support the Jim Clark tribute at the Goodwood Revival in September. Along with my fellow family trustee Ian Calder (Jim’s nephew) I attended the Revival in 2013, when the Duke of Richmond formally launched the Jim Clark Trust – of which he is still a patron. 1965 was such a special year for Jim, and we look forward to celebrating his life and career at Goodwood in September, as well as at our own event, at Duns Castle on 28-29 June.”

Goodwood Revival To Celebrate Alfa Romeo

The Goodwood Revival will bring together a collection of cars from Alfa Romeo’s competitive history to celebrate the centenary of the marque’s victory in the inaugural Manufacturer’s World Championship.

Taking place across the weekend, the demonstration will feature Grand Prix cars, sports cars, touring cars and prototypes, including the machines that became renowned for competing at races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Visitors can expect to see the likes of the first Formula 1 Championship-winning car, the 158 ‘Alfetta’, Tipo 308C, TZ2 and Tipo 33 prototypes – each telling a story of bold innovation and mechanical artistry from 1925 through to 1975.

The celebration will reflect on Alfa Romeo’s domination of motorsport – including celebrating the 50th anniversary of the marque’s victory at the 1975 World Sportscar Championship. The Revival will remember the legendary drivers who piloted these machines, including four-time Grand Prix winner Antonio Ascari; five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio; five-time Grand Prix winner and first World Drivers’ Champion Giuseppe Farina; and Alfa Romeo’s most famous and celebrated pre-war driver Tazio Nuvolari.

Earlier in the year, the Festival of Speed will also recognise the centenary of the Manufacturers’ World Championship. The Prologue class, which forms part of the F1 75 celebrations at the event, will showcase the cars that predate the World Championship, with examples from Alfa Romeo.

Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd Appointed For Sale Of Bernie Ecclestone’s Extraordinary Collection Of Historic Grand Prix And Formula 1 Cars

Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, one of the world’s most respected and exclusive high-end dealers in classic and historic sports cars and racing cars, has been selected by Bernie Ecclestone in respect of the sale of his extraordinary collection of historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.

Ecclestone, 94, was for decades the commercial rights holder of Formula 1, and was therefore the man who made it the global sporting powerhouse that it is today. It is fair to say that his collection of 69 historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars is the finest ever to have been assembled, and it is certainly the most impressive ever to have been offered for sale.

Each and every one of Ecclestone’s 69 cars is unique, having been stored away from the public gaze, in some cases for more than half a century. Many of the cars have never been seen since Ecclestone purchased them. Highlights are Ferraris raced in Formula 1 Grands Prix by legendary World Champions such as Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher, and Brabhams raced in Formula 1 Grands Prix by aces such as Nelson Piquet, Carlos Pace, and, again, Niki Lauda, among them the one-off Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car’, which raced only once, victoriously, to win the Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp in 1978 by more than half a minute.

Bernie Ecclestone said: “I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example. Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.

“A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.

“I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.

“Tom [Hartley Jnr] is handling the sale for me because he knows the cars better than anyone else, his business is best placed to sell them, and I am guaranteed transparency which is important to me.

“Having collected what are the best and most original Formula 1 cars dating back to the start of the sport, I have now decided to move them on to new homes that will treat them as I have and look after them as precious works of art.”

Tom Hartley Jnr commented: “This is quite simply the most important race car collection in the world. There has never been and probably never will be a collection like it ever offered for sale again. The collection spans 70 years of Grand Prix and Formula 1 racing, and highlights include Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher World Championship-winning Ferraris, all of Bernie’s [Ecclestone] Brabhams including the famous ‘fan car’, and the Vanwall VW10, the car in which the great Stirling Moss won several Formula 1 Grands Prix on the way to Vanwall clinching the first ever Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 1958, plus so much more.

“But, for me, the highlight of the collection has to be the Ferraris. Bernie has assembled a collection of Ferrari Formula 1 cars that today would be near-impossible to repeat. There is the famous Thin Wall Special, which was the first Ferrari to ever beat Alfa Romeo, the Alberto Ascari Italian Grand Prix-winning 375 F1, the Mike Hawthorn World Championship-winning Dino which Ferrari campaigned over three seasons before it was donated to the Henry Ford Museum, plus historically significant World Championship-winning Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher cars.

“Because Bernie has retained ownership of the Brabhams since they were new, and many of those cars have not been seen for decades, people can forget quite how special a team Brabham was. Brabham scored 22 Formula 1 Grand Prix wins, 24 Formula 1 Grand Prix pole positions, 25 Formula 1 Grand Prix fastest laps, and two Formula 1 World Championships under Bernie’s tenure. The team was also very innovative, fitting carbon brakes to its cars in the 1970s, and was the first to introduce in-race refuelling. Bernie was also the person who gave a young South African engineer named Gordon Murray a job – and other big names in motorsport such as Charlie Whiting and Herbie Blash were part of the Brabham boys.

“I feel very privileged that Bernie has entrusted the sale of his cars to my Tom Hartley Jnr business. Formula 1 cars are cars that I know particularly well, they are not just cars that I have a great personal interest in, but we at Tom Hartley Jnr actively buy and sell them, too. However, there has never been a collection like this one offered for sale, and no one in the world has a race car collection that comes close to Bernie’s. This a great opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire cars that have never before been offered for sale, and it would be great to see them back on the track again.

“All of the cars on the Formula 1 grid today look the same. If you stripped them of their liveries, you’d struggle to know which one was a Williams and which was a Ferrari. But when you look at some of the Grand Prix cars from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, they’d very much be at home in The Museum of Modern Art.”

“This collection is the history of Formula 1.”

Goodwood To Celebrate Formula 1 Champion Niki Lauda

Goodwood is proud to announce that three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda will be celebrated with a special on-track demonstration at the 81st Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport.

2024 will mark several significant anniversaries for Lauda, including 50 years since his first Grand Prix victory in the 1974 Spanish Grand Prix, 40 years since his third and final World Championship, and 75 years since the Formula 1 Champion’s birth, this coming Thursday, 22 February.

Taking place across the weekend, the Goodwood Motor Circuit will welcome Lauda’s 1985 Dutch Grand Prix-winning McLaren MP4/2B for an on-track moment to honour the acclaimed driver. The demonstration will put the McLaren MP4/2B in the spotlight, in tribute to one of the greatest Formula 1 World Champions.

Niki Lauda is remembered as one of the true icons of motorsport, and one of the most intelligent and mentally resilient drivers ever to set foot in a racing car. In a Formula 1 career that ran from 1971-85, during which he won 25 Grands Prix and three World Championships, he recovered from a near-fatal accident at the Nurburgring in 1976, abruptly retired in 1979 saying he was “tired of driving round in circles”, and made a successful comeback three years later, culminating in his final World Championship in 1984.

After taking his final victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1985 (beating none other than Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna into second and third!), he retired from driving to focus on Lauda Air (the airline business he had founded after his first retirement in 1979), but later returned to Formula 1, first as an advisor for Ferrari, then as Jaguar’s team principal, and finally as Non-Executive Chairman of the Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team. It was in the latter role that he was instrumental in persuading Lewis Hamilton to switch from McLaren, heralding a period of unprecedented dominance for team and driver.

As part of a continued celebration for Lauda at Goodwood’s headline motorsport events this year, the legendary driver will also be honoured at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, with various cars from across his racing career taking to the Goodwood Hill.

The Duke of Richmond said: “It’s a privilege to be honouring Niki Lauda at this year’s Members’ Meeting and Festival of Speed. The word ‘Icon’ is overused, but Niki was certainly that. He achieved incredible success in everything he did, from driving to team management, and even running an airline, and always on his own terms. It was a pleasure to welcome him to Goodwood, including the final time in 2017, when he joined us for our tribute to his friend Bernie Ecclestone. He was straight talking and irreverent, but also intelligent, charming and funny, and is much-missed by all who knew him. This year’s special moments will pay tribute to his outstanding racing career and celebrate his influence and enduring legacy across the world of motorsport.”

Taking place across the weekend, the Niki Lauda celebration joins alongside the previously announced Can-Am demonstration, competitive sidecar Shoot-Out and full race schedule for the 81st Members’ Meeting.

Introducing The New Aston Martin Vantage

The latest in an iconic bloodline, Aston Martin is proud to introduce the new Vantage. The quintessential Aston Martin sports car and the most driver focused and fastest Vantage in the famous nameplate’s 74-year history, it is an authentic, unadulterated celebration of pure performance, engineered to deliver maximum thrills with maximum confidence.

A design refocused through a contemporary lens, Vantage champions the qualities that have gripped enthusiasts for generations but are increasingly hard to find in today’s sports car market. As such Vantage makes a stand for disenfranchised devotees of breathtaking power, razor-sharp handling and the perfect balance of a finely-tuned front-engine, rear-wheel drive chassis.

The announcement of a new Vantage follows the successful introduction last year of the acclaimed DB12 Coupe and Volante. Further strengthening Aston Martin’s next generation of sports cars, Vantage reaffirms the brands position in the ultra-luxury, performance sports car market alongside its leading roles in the ultra-luxury sporting GT, SUV and hypercar arenas, and the highest echelons of world championship motorsport.

The new generation Vantage continues a remarkable lineage that can be traced back to 1950, when the Vantage name was first used to denote an uprated engine package for the race-proven DB2. The first time Vantage was applied as a model designation was in 1964, when a high-performance Vantage-badged version of the DB5 became the new flagship of the range. A standalone Vantage model was introduced in the early 1970s, from which point the nameplate has played an increasingly prominent role in Aston Martin’s model line-up. Synonymous with immaculate style, unforgettable performance and inimitable character, Vantage embodies the sporting qualities for which this evocative name has become renowned.

This new Vantage reflects the most dynamic period in Aston Martin’s 111-year history. A formidable force in the 2023 Formula One season, a dominant presence in international GT racing, where Vantage has a rich history as the most successful endurance GT racer and – with the recent announcement of Aston Martin’s quest for outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours race with the Valkyrie AMR in 2025 – a front-line challenger in the World Endurance Championship.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Amedeo Felisa, said: “As we enter a period of pivotal change in the world of high-performance cars it is essential to remain true to those qualities upon which a legendary marque has been built. Any car bearing the Vantage name has much to live-up to, which is why this newest model makes an unwavering commitment to high-performance in its purest and most explicit form. Class-leading power and speed establish its credentials, but it is through expert application of the latest technologies to the Vantage’s perfectly balanced front-engine rear-drive chassis that we have created a sports car with addictive capability. Together with assertive styling, all-new interior and state-of-the-art infotainment, Vantage is world-class in every respect”.

Performance – huge gains in engine output deliver next-level potency
Powered by a heavily reworked, hand-built 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8 engine the new Vantage is the fastest in the nameplate’s history. With peaks of 665PS and a colossal 800Nm of torque it also makes the biggest-ever jump in power and torque compared to the model it succeeds, those increases of 155PS and 115Nm equating to gains of 30% and 15% respectively.

These higher outputs have been achieved through extensive tuning by Aston Martin engineers, the adoption of modified cam profiles, optimised compression ratios, larger turbos, and increased cooling yielding the impressive new figures and creating an engine with a sharper, more visceral and more vocal character.

Mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission this is enough to propel the two-seater sports car to a top speed of 202mph and punch it from a standstill to 60mph in just 3.4sec. Both the shortened Final Drive Ratio (3.083:1) and transmission shift calibration have been honed to maximise response and enjoyment, the former delivering punchier in-gear acceleration, while the latter reduces shift speeds and offers different shift characteristics to suit each of the Vantage’s dynamic modes.

Standing start acceleration has been perfected with the introduction of a new Launch Control system. Fully integrated with the powertrain, transmission and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), when engaged by the driver, Launch Control allows the car to deploy as much torque as conditions allow, using the E-Diff, ESP slip control and engine torque management to keep wheel slip in the optimal range throughout the launch. The driver can also dial-in the precise amount of slip they desire during the launch by making changes via the Adjustable Traction Control (ATC) system – reducing or increasing the amount of controlled wheelspin permitted by the Launch Control System or allowing themselves full throttle control by setting the ATC to Traction Control (TC) Off.

Liberating additional engine performance has increased thermal load, which has required a complete redesign of the engine cooling system. To ensure stable intake air temperatures are achieved in all conditions, an additional low temperature radiator has been fitted to the charge cooler water circuit, with a further two auxiliary coolers added to the existing central main radiator to further increase thermal capacity.

The oil system has also benefitted from extensive upgrades, with the auxiliary outboard engine oil cooler now boasting twice the face area of its predecessor. Thermal airflow has also been boosted with a 50% increase in the volume of cold air reaching the radiators.

Handling & dynamics Part 1: – Highly evolved bonded aluminium structure, perfect 50:50 weight distribution and state-of-the-art suspension provide the foundation for a definitive driving experience

Highly evolved aluminium structure, perfect 50:50 weight distribution and state-of-the-art suspension provide the foundation for a definitive driving experience. Built around Aston Martin’s latest generation bonded aluminium construction, Vantage features an enhanced body structure to deliver more focused and engaging dynamics thanks to additional underbody stiffening components for increased overall torsional rigidity.

Amongst these changes are a re-engineered and re-positioned front body cross member, which has been moved rearwards to increase mounting point stiffness for the double-wishbone front suspension for improved on and off-centre steering feel. Further improvements have been achieved with the fitment of a stiffer-yet-lighter front engine cross brace for increased torsional rigidity and lateral stiffness between the front suspension towers.

At the rear, Vantage benefits from a 29% increase in stiffness under cornering load due to increased lateral strengthening between the rear suspension towers. Together with revisions to front and rear undertrays for greater lateral stiffness, the combined improvements in front and rear mounting stiffness for the dampers mean tangible gains in precision, handling balance and driver feedback, together with an overall uplift in refinement.

This feeling of immediacy, control and connection is further boosted by new intelligent adaptive dampers. With a 500% increase in bandwidth of force distribution over previous generation hardware these state-of-the-art dampers have an immense range of control and speed of response, which has allowed Aston Martin’s vehicle attributes engineers to sharpen the Vantage’s dynamics to their keenest possible edge.

Precise calibration of the dampers has given the Vantage an inherently sporting feel while leaving room to introduce progressive tighter body control as the driver explores the range of dynamic modes. Combined with the E-Diff and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Vantage has the capability to adapt from the demands of a challenging alpine road to wide-open race track at the push of a button and twist of a switch.

Obsessive attention has been paid to the Vantage’s Electronic Power Assisted Steering system (EPAS). The fitment of a non-isolated steering column means steering inputs from the driver are direct and uncorrupted, while the flow of information from the road is granular in detail and pleasingly tactile.

The EPAS has a constant 12.8:1 ratio rack with variable, speed sensitive assistance and 2.27 turns lock-to-lock. This variable level of assistance is integrated with the Vantage’s dynamic mode programmes, the level of assistance reducing incrementally as the driver works their way towards the most aggressive mode (Track).

Steering response and front-end grip has been further enhanced by ‘AML’ coded Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres made specifically for the Vantage. Measuring 275/35 R21 (103Y) front and 325/30 R21 (108Y) rear they feature a bespoke compound and have been tuned by the Aston Martin dynamics team to suit the super-sharp response, high grip levels and progressive breakaway characteristics expected from the most driver-focussed model in the Aston Martin range.

Vantage features 21” forged alloy wheels as standard. Measuring 9.5J front and 11.5J rear the structure of these lightweight wheels has been designed using simulation tools to remove every gram of excess mass without compromising strength or aesthetics. There is a choice of three different designs – standard Five-Spoke and optional Multi-Spoke and Y-Spoke – in a range of colours and finishes, including Satin Bronze, first introduced on DB12.

Vantage is fitted as standard with cast-iron 400mm front discs and 360mm rear discs with drilled faces for improved heat management and fade resistance. The brake booster has also been re-tuned compared to the outgoing mode to give the driver greater confidence thanks to a firm pedal, with a perfect blend of immediate stopping power and progressive response.

Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) can be specified on Vantage as an option. Offering increased braking performance and reduced brake fade at temperatures of up to 800 °C, fitting CCB also saves 27kg in unsprung mass compared to the cast-iron braking system, which in turn improves ride quality and steering response.

Handling & dynamics Part 2: State-of-the-art Active Vehicle Dynamics control system for exceptional control and unmistakable character

As befits its role as the most sporting model in the range, Aston Martin engineers have maximized the benefits of the Vantage’s outstanding chassis architecture with the very latest electronic systems to maximise performance and create an unmistakable dynamic character. Focused on achieving increased agility and sharper steering response while bringing more precision, consistency and more detailed feedback for greater confidence and connection, the result is a car that welcomes real drivers in and invites them to explore the limits. It will reward skilled driving but doesn’t depend upon it to deliver a thrilling experience.

Key to the Vantage’s intensified handling character is an advanced vehicle dynamics control system. This takes information from multiple car and driver sensors such as the 6-axis accelerometer, powertrain, braking system and E-Diff sensors to build a detailed picture of exactly what the car is doing and apply it to overall management of the ESP system. Taking that information and comparing it against model-based Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Estimation (IVE) parameters, the ESP can then actively control the three key pillars of the vehicle dynamics system (ride, handling and steering) to optimise vehicle response and handling behaviour in all weathers, on road and track.

This new generation system employs a state-of-the-art 6D-IMU, or Inertial Measurement Unit, which combines monitoring of Surge (moving forward/backward), Heave (moving up/down) and Sway (moving left/right) with Roll (tilting side-to-side), Pitch (tilting forward/backwards) and Yaw (turning left/right). By simultaneously tracking the car’s movements and rate of acceleration in all six axes the degree and rate of ESP intervention is always perfectly judged.

Power is fed through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff). Unlike a conventional Limited Slip Differential, it actively augments stability in conjunction with the ESP, allowing precise and immediate control for optimized traction, consistent handling and enhanced agility. The E-Diff can go from zero to full lock in 135ms and can react as quickly as 60ms when needed as a vehicle dynamics modifier.

Integrated Brake Slip Control (IBC) uses the latest generation ABS control system to not only optimize stopping distances but apply Brake Slip Vectoring to get the car poised for corner entry. Integrated Traction Control (ITC) combines management of engine, brake and E-Diff to provide predictive slip control for optimum traction together with Traction Slip Vectoring for the perfect amount of traction on corner exit. Finally, Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVC) acts on the brakes, powertrain and E-Diff to manage the ESP to optimize balance and handling at the limits of driving dynamics, improve dynamic characteristics for all driving styles and provide predictive activation for smoother ESP interventions.

Working in harmony with the latest generation ESP the E-Diff adapts its behaviour according to the type of corner, helping the Vantage rotate into tighter turns to exploit its super-sharp front-end response, but remain composed and confidence inspiring through high-speed curves when stability is paramount.

Although there is an obvious safety function, the new ESP is tuned to serve as a performance aid, not a performance limiter. A perfect example of this – and something new for the Vantage – is Adjustable Traction Control (ATC). In addition to a choice of Wet, On and Track ESP modes, ATC disables the ESP’s yaw control function, so there is no off-throttle assistance, but a level of traction control is maintained – the precise amount being selected by the driver via ATC’s rotary switch.

Once accessed, ATC starts in mid-position 5 as a default but the driver can incrementally reduce or increase the amount of permitted wheel slip. Stepping down from 4 to 1 helps to keep the car more stable on-throttle. Typical use scenarios would be to help manage hot tyres on a track or in more difficult track conditions (i.e. wet), but it is equally effectively in helping the driver to build confidence with ESP Off before moving to the higher slip settings accessed in positions 5-8.

When position 5 is selected engine torque is modulated to control slip at a level to allow a fast clean lap to be driven. Oversteer can be achieved and driver should react accordingly. Levels 6-8 allow the driver to increase the wheel slip with the yaw control off and therefore reducing on-throttle stability. The modes enable a driver to develop their skills to gradually learn the vehicle behaviour in high slip angles before switching to TC Off, which allows the driver complete freedom to control the car with their throttle and steering inputs alone.

Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, said “The art of creating a truly great sports car in 2024 is applying cutting-edge technology in a way that enhances and intensifies the driving experience yet does nothing to remove the driver from the process of driving. Vantage will make headlines for the huge increases in power and torque over the outgoing model, but it’s the vivid way in which it deploys such immense performance that will seduce enthusiasts and purists. With a perfectly balanced front-engined rear-wheel drive chassis aided by industry-leading Active Vehicle Dynamics, it combines outright capability with progression and exploitability. Matched by muscular styling and completed by an all-new ultra-luxury interior packed with the latest connected technology and infotainment, it is the perfect contemporary interpretation of a time-honoured legend”.

Exterior styling – A muscular physique and unmistakable presence
From the first glimpse you know the new generation Vantage is a game-changer. A body standing 30mm wider with a more muscular stance is accentuated by a completely redesigned front-end featuring a 38% larger recontoured veined grille aperture, offering 29% increase in mass airflow for additional cooling. Further cooling intakes set into the bumper either side of the grille sharpen the front-end’s features, while the new integrated splitter, with a wider and lower stance, adds drama as well as aerodynamic function, providing high speed stability through lift reduction. This distinctive front-end treatment is completed by all-new Matrix LED headlamp design with integrated DRLs, featuring Aston Martin’s new light signature.

Elsewhere the new Vantage sees a return of the iconic Aston Martin side strake, which now forms the sharp focal point of revised vents in each flank. Standard-fit 21in forged alloy wheels fill the wider wheel arches to perfection, creating a purposeful stance that exudes power and poise in equal measure. Frameless door mirrors and presenting door handles are also new to Vantage, while a wider rear bumper incorporating side vents and larger diameter quad exhaust tailpipes ensure the Vantage looks as dramatic from the rear as it does from the front.

Vantage owners can enhance the sporting character of Vantage even further, by selecting one of three core livery designs. Available in 21 colors, a client can choose to add a Pinstripe, Pinstripe and Lipstick or Pinstripe, Lipstick and Rear infill.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, adds: “Aston Martin is blessed with many evocative model names, but none conjure excitement and dynamism like Vantage. To capture the new car’s huge uplift in power and performance we have accentuated its physique, increasing its muscularity and sharpening its sculptural form. We took some inspiration from the One-77 supercar, but we wanted Vantage to express its intent and potency more explicitly. One look and you know it packs a real punch, but there’s an elegance of form and proportion that hints at the sophistication that underpins its raw power. This balance of instant visual impact and slow-burn charisma mirrors the driving experience and perfectly captures the essence of Vantage”.

Like all Aston Martin models, Vantage customers can explore endless bespoke and customisation possibilities via the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service. Enlisting the skills of Q’s designers and crafts people, customers take an unforgettable personal commissioning journey that can encompass everything from a single small distinguishing detail to full-scale engineering and production of entirely bespoke components to create a true one-off.

Interior craft & technology – sporting ambience, supreme luxury
Vantage is a hardcore sports car at heart, but this doesn’t mean it makes sacrifices when it comes to design, comfort or equipment levels. The new generation Vantage makes a breathtaking statement with an all-new ultra-luxury interior defined by flawless architectural lines, swathed in the finest materials and packed with state-of-the-art connected technology and a stunning surround sound system developed by audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins.

Clean, unbroken lines create a striking yet elegant environment inside the Vantage cockpit, delivering a sense of space and clarity for the driver. From the slender air vents and perfectly integrated infotainment screen to the clearly defined array of physical switches on the lower section of the centre console, the new Vantage interior is a triumph of functional beauty and tactile quality.

Supple, aromatic hand-stitched Bridge of Weir hides create a cosseting, comfortable space, but the driving position, super-supportive sports seats and driver-focused ergonomics add an effortless functionality that underpins the opulence and adds to the enjoyment of every journey.

Vantage is fitted as standard with the Aston Martin 390w 11 speaker audio system. Developed utilising advanced hardware, this system features a Surround sound mode with QuantumLogic® surround sound processing for an immersive soundscape.

However, true audiophiles will delight in the optional system developed with Aston Martin’s audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins. Acoustically engineered to the Vantage’s interior volume and shape, this exceptional system uses technologies and innovations found in Bowers & Wilkins’ acclaimed world-class loudspeakers.

Aluminium Double Dome tweeters and Continuum® midrange speakers give this 15-speaker, double amplified 1,170W surround sound system a balanced and accurate sound. Dedicated 3D headline speakers and a powerful subwoofer deliver a sound experience as dynamic and potent as the Vantage itself.

Vantage is the second model to feature Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment. Created in-house and first introduced in DB12, it is entirely bespoke and developed in-house from scratch. Supplemented by a new Aston Martin customer connectivity app which supports iOS and Android devices, it allows interaction, control and feedback to and from the customer’s Vantage via their personal device.

A fully integrated multi-screen system with full online connectivity, it features 10.25” Pure Black touchscreen technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control. Touchscreen commands are balanced with the positive tactility of physical switches, with buttons retained for the key mechanical operations of gear selection, drive selection, heating and ventilation. There are also override switches for Chassis, ESP and Exhaust, Lane Assist and Park Distance Control, ensuring the most used controls can be operated intuitively and without the need to take your eyes off the road.

The Vantage navigation system features online connectivity for a smarter, quicker and more informative experience. Online connection enables the driver to simply look up their favourite restaurant, read the reviews and chose it as a destination. Or, if more convenient, choose a destination in the Aston Martin app and simply send it to their Vantage ahead of travel.

The new 3D mapping gives intuitive, clear instruction with lane guidance and real time traffic overlays. Connected dynamic routing ensures unnecessary delays. Satellite view dynamically downloaded to visualise the surrounding area as you drive.

For pinpoint accuracy anywhere in the world, Vantage’s navigation system and the new Aston Martin connected app are both set up to feature fully integrated WHAT3WORDS destination input. Wireless Apple CarPlay will also be supported by Vantage for drivers who prefer to use navigation apps via their mobile device.

The Vantage’s infotainment system is built around online connectivity and an all-new companion Aston Martin app; functionality that enables Vantage owners to communicate, interact and engage with their car.

Online connectivity will assist the ownership experience through increased ease of use, peace of mind and opportunity to update and upgrade vehicle features from the comfort and safety of their mobile phone. An ever-expanding system, Aston Martin Connected Car will continue to evolve as Products, Services and support for vehicles evolves.

This all-new connected car ecosystem utilises three key elements – the Vantage, the Aston Martin app and Aston Martin’s secure data servers. These three elements connect through globally roaming 4G LTE / GSM cellular networks via the embedded e-SIM in Vantage, which is provided and funded by Aston Martin. The Aston Martin app is hosted by an onboard personal device and associated data contract. Personal data is protected by the latest industry standards of cyber security and cloud protection.

When purchasing their new Vantage, owners are invited to enroll in the new Aston Martin app and create their own unique AML ID. Available on iOS and Android, the app offers a range of connected car subscription packages that are free for the first 3-years and designed to maximise the Aston Martin ownership experience.

Personalised content specific to their vehicle is presented in clear and intuitive screens that seamlessly match the new UI/UX of the infotainment system. From the app, customers can monitor, locate and protect their vehicle and they can also manage their account details and share in the community of Aston Martin owners through integrated media feeds.

Production of the Vantage is due to commence in Q1 of 2024, with first deliveries scheduled to begin during Q2 2024. The second of Aston Martin’s Next Generation of sportscars, new Vantage sets a new benchmark of driving purity, for drivers who relish in a challenge a fast sports car represents. Aston Martin Vantage, Engineered for Real Drivers.

Goodwood Revival To Celebrate The Legendary John Surtees

Goodwood is proud to announce that the exceptional career of John Surtees – to this day the only person to win World Championships on two and four wheels – will be celebrated at this year’s Goodwood Revival, taking place over the weekend of 6-8 September.

2024 marks 60 years since Surtees won his Formula 1 World Championship, and would have seen the eight-time World Champion celebrate his 90th birthday, this coming Sunday, 11 February.

Reflecting a truly extraordinary motorsport career – which included seven motorcycle World Championships between 1956 and 1960, the 1964 Formula 1 World Championship, and the 1966 Can-Am Championship – the tribute to John Surtees will include everything from 250cc, 350cc and 500cc motorcycles to Grand Prix winners, unlimited sports cars and GTs. In April, the 81st Members’ Meeting will assemble an incredible array of Can-Am cars, Surtees having won the inaugural championship with his eponymous team in 1966.

John Surtees is a key figure in the annals of Goodwood’s unique motorsport history. It was at Goodwood that he tested a car for the first time, in 1959. The following year, it was here that he made his four-wheeled debut in a Formula Junior Cooper, racing for Ken Tyrrell, at the 39th Members’ Meeting in March 1960, finishing a close second to none other than Jim Clark.

That 1960 season was remarkable. Having taken part in his first race on four wheels in March, he made his F1 debut in May, scored his first podium with second place at the British Grand Prix in July, and his first pole position at the Portuguese Grand Prix in August! All while fitting in around his two-wheeled commitments, where he won the 350cc and 500cc World Championships for MV Agusta!

In 1993, Surtees became a Patron of the very first Festival of Speed, utilising his extensive contacts to organise the motorcycle classes for the event and riding his 1952 Vincent up the Hill. Returning to race at the early Goodwood Revivals, ‘Big John’ entertained a new generation of Goodwood motorsport fans, as fiercely competitive in the RAC TT Celebration as he had been on the Circuit during its heyday.

Shortly after his passing in March 2017, the 75th Members’ Meeting paid a moving tribute to Surtees, on the anniversary to the day of that first race in 1960, with a minute’s noise reverberating through the paddocks and The Duke of Richmond leading a commemorative lap in a Team Surtees Lola T70.

We now look forward to honouring the remarkable achievements of an enormously talented driver and rider, as well as the life and legacy of a great friend of Goodwood.

Doug Nye, motorsport historian, co-founder of the Festival of Speed and friend of Goodwood, said: “John Surtees was simply unique. Despite having spent my entire adult life amongst such ultra-competitive racers as Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart and many more, he was the most competitive personality of them all! He won motorcycling World titles seven times, and the Formula 1 Driver’s World Championship once. On a motorcycle he was magic to watch, just man and machine merged into one – while in a car he took no prisoners yet was still visibly a master – a total perfectionist. From first sampling a racing car at Goodwood in 1959-60 he became one of our first Festival of Speed Patrons in 1993. He was – on two wheels and four – a total star.”

The Duke of Richmond, said: “As an eight-time World Champion and the only man to achieve the honour on both two and four wheels, John Surtees was not only a huge figure in the history of the Goodwood motor circuit, but also played a big part in the establishment of our modern events. Along with Stirling Moss, John was a Patron of the Festival of Speed and was deeply involved from the very beginning. More than anything, he was an exceptional racer and a great friend.”

Taking place across the weekend, the Surtees tribute will join the full race schedule which is set to run exclusively on sustainable fuels.