Aston Martin moves into it's second century with a massive investment in new plant and models.

2016 has been an exceptional year for Aston Martin, with the announcement of Vantage GT8, Vanquish Zagato, Vanquish S and the remarkable AM-RB 001 along with the news that the company’s second UK manufacturing facility will open in St Athan in Wales.

The most significant achievement for the British luxury carmaker was the launch of the highly anticipated DB11 which has received rave reviews since its launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Hand-built at the company’s sports car production plant and headquarters, in Gaydon, Warwickshire, production of the DB11 commenced in September, with 1,019 now having come off the production line. 

Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, who will personally assure the quality by inspecting the first 1,000 cars, said: “With the launch of the new DB11, we are on course to deliver a GREAT British car company dedicated to making the most beautiful automotive art in the world.  Having inspected 700 cars to date, the quality of the cars leaving the factory is excellent.

“As we head into the holiday season, I want to thank everyone for their support during 2016 and we look forward to 2017 and the exciting times ahead.”

The new DB11 is the first in a line of seven new models to be launched over the next seven years, in line with the company’s ‘Second Century Plan’, which takes the 103-year-old company into its next century of operation

The All-New Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin Road car has been released, with track and road versions available.

• Revolutionary AM-RB 001 hypercar the result of technical partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing  
• Powered by a new, high-revving naturally aspirated V12 engine
• Mid-engined, two-seats, lightweight construction, 1:1 power-to-weight ratio
• Road and track-only versions to be available

Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing are today revealing their ground-breaking hypercar; codenamed AM-RB 001. The product of a unique Innovation Partnership between the British luxury brand and eminent F1^TM team, this ambitious, uncompromising and wholly extraordinary collaboration combines the vision and skills of two world-leading brands to create a road car the like of which has never been seen before.

The three men charged with realising this shared vision are Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer and the world’s most successful F1^TM designer, Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer and David King, VP and Chief Special Operations Officer. Together they spearhead a formidable alliance. One that combines more than a hundred years of specialism – both with heritage, making some of the world’s most beautiful and charismatic GT cars, and with technological brilliance and relentless pursuit of speed and efficiency that has seen Red Bull Racing excel in the ferociously competitive world of Formula One.  

Reichman and Newey are working closely on all aspects of the project, striving to ensure the AM-RB 001 is an unprecedented fusion of form and function: a car engineered to be entirely useable and enjoyable as a road car, but with the capability to perform like no road car before it on a race track. For those who crave an even more intensely focused driving experience, a track-only AM-RB 001 is also in development, the projected performance of which is in line with that of today’s LMP1 Le Mans sports prototypes.

Built around a lightweight carbon fibre structure, the AM-RB 001 boasts truly radical aerodynamics for unprecedented levels of downforce in a road-legal car. Thanks to the genius of Newey’s design much of this downforce is generated through underfloor aerodynamics, leaving Reichman free to craft a pure yet breathtaking dramatic form that elegantly expresses both the AM-RB 001’s cutting-edge dynamism and the unmistakable essence of Aston Martin.

Uncompromising in all respects, the AM-RB 001 is a bespoke machine from the tyres up. It will be built by David King and his team at Gaydon, in the purpose-built facility created for Aston Martin’s original hypercar, the One-77. More details of the AM-RB 001's technical specification will be revealed in due course, but its heart is a new, mid-mounted, high-revving, naturally aspirated V12 engine with the potency to achieve a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio; 1 bhp per kilo of weight.

To cope with the extreme aerodynamic loadings at high speeds yet deliver the on-road usability and comfort levels that sit at the heart of the concept, the AM-RB 001’s suspension system will feature innovative technology and employ principles honed by Newey over his thirty year career. Likewise, the transmission is a clean-sheet design conceived by Newey and developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

While boundary-pushing performance is clearly of paramount importance, so too is exceptional efficiency and packaging. Newey’s unrivalled knowledge has enabled the AM-RB 001 to be extremely light and compact, yet offer genuine comfort and space for driver and passenger and house a V12 engine.

Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, says of the AM-RB 001 project: “I’ve long harboured the desire to design a road car. The formation of Red Bull Advanced Technologies brought me a step closer to realising that ambition, but I believed we should work with an automotive manufacturer. Aston Martin was at the top of my list. The synergy between Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin is clear. I knew Red Bull Racing had the ability to handle the pure performance aspects, but Aston Martin’s experience of making beautiful, fast and comfortable GT cars is of great benefit to the project. I’ve always been adamant that the AM-RB 001 should be a true road car that’s also capable of extreme performance on track, and this means it really has to be a car of two characters. That’s the secret we’re trying to put into this car - the technology that allows it to be docile and comfortable, but with immense outright capabilities.”

David King, Aston Martin’s VP and Chief Special Operations Officer, adds: “Working at Aston Martin means you get to be a part of some truly special projects, but the AM-RB 001 is a dream - a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course it’s a huge engineering challenge, too, but the game-changing objectives of this programme have a uniquely energising effect on everyone involved. We have world-class people and facilities at Gaydon. We’re all motivated to achieve great things and take Aston Martin to the absolute pinnacle of road car performance.”

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, says of the AM-RB 001: “Working so closely alongside Adrian and an organisation like Red Bull Racing is a fabulous experience. By definition the objectives we’ve set for the car ensures there has never been an Aston Martin - or any car, actually - quite like the AM-RB 001. The shared challenge has been finding that magical tipping point where we achieve the most efficient engineering solutions and the most beautiful styling solutions without any compromises. My personal challenge has been expressing the AM-RB 001’s extraordinary performance and the unique way in which it delivers that performance. Its style reflects its revolutionary nature, while possessing the form and beauty that makes it unmistakably an Aston Martin.”

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO, commented: “The AM-RB 001 is a truly remarkable project and something of which I’m extremely proud. To have Aston Martin working alongside Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing and the invaluable assistance of project partner AF Racing AG is an extraordinary creative collaboration. One that unites the very best of road and race car thinking. As the project gathers pace its clear the end result will be a truly history-making hypercar that sets incredible new benchmarks for packaging, efficiency and performance and an achievement that elevates Aston Martin to the very highest level.” 

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing said: “Red Bull Racing has always steered an innovative course in our ongoing development of a competitive Formula One car. The conception and modus operandi of Red Bull Technologies has been to apply our expertise to truly progressive projects and partnerships. Our relationship with Aston Martin and the realisation of the AM-RB 001 is pioneering and borne of our synergies and desire to break new ground. The AM-RB 001 is the inspirational product of this collaborative spirit.”

Continuing the on-going Innovation Partnership, the task of engineering the AM-RB 001 will be shared between Q by Aston Martin Advanced and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, with production taking place at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility. Total volume will be between 99 and 150 road cars inclusive of all remaining prototypes and 25 track-only versions, with first deliveries commencing in 2018.

Renault to continue and extend the engine partnership with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso until 2018.

Renault Sport Racing and Red Bull Racing are pleased to confirm they will continue their ongoing partnership for the supply of the power unit currently badged as Tag Heuer for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Renault Sport Racing will also rekindle its relationship with Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2017-2018.

Over the period both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso will receive Renault’s V6 turbo power unit, but will have the opportunity to badge the power units as they wish.

The partnership with Red Bull Racing will become one of the longest and most successful chassis-engine partnerships in Formula One. The pair first teamed up in 2007 and has since won four Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships and 51 wins.

Scuderia Toro Rosso and Renault partnered in 2014 and 2015.

Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport Racing, commented: ‘We are very pleased to partner with two such strong teams as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Having competitive partners demonstrates the confidence both have in the improved Renault power unit and in our organisation as a whole.’

Aston Martin, Red Bull and Adrian Newey to collaborate on a Red Bull branded Hypercar.

• Aston Martin and Adrian Newey developing ground-breaking hypercar
• Aston Martin becomes Innovation Partner to Red Bull Racing

British luxury brand Aston Martin and Formula One team Red Bull Racing are today announcing a partnership which sees Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman collaborate to produce a ground-breaking Aston Martin hypercar.

Codenamed Project ‘AM-RB 001’, the new hypercar will represent the ultimate blend of cutting edge F1^TMtechnology with Aston Martin’s signature sports car design. The combined talents of Newey, widely noted as the most successful Formula One designer of all time, and Reichman, Aston Martin’s design chief since 2005, are set to produce the ultimate hypercar.

Combining the strongest elements of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Aston Martin, this new Innovation Partnership unites the world’s best aerodynamicists, composite experts and manufacturing masters. All the parties offer different elite capabilities and the combination of all of those skills, ensuring that Project ‘AM-RB 001’ promises to be an exciting prospect for customers and enthusiasts around the world. 

Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Formula One offers the ultimate global stage to build wider awareness of the Aston Martin brand. However, this partnership will deliver even more than that when the hypercar that Aston Martin and Adrian Newey are in the process of developing hits the road.

“Between Q by Aston Martin Advanced, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and project partner AF Racing AG, we are going to create a car that will excite and stir the imaginations of the car designers of the future and a global audience of sports car enthusiasts.

“These are exciting times for Aston Martin and arriving hot on the heels of our DB11 launch earlier this month, this new partnership underlines that our brand really is racing again.”

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner said of the new partnership: “This is a very exciting project for everyone at Red Bull Racing. Through this Innovation Partnership the iconic Aston Martin logo will return to grand prix racing for the first time since 1960, and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, led by Adrian, will be harnessing our Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars. It’s an incredible project which also realises a dream and vision long held by Adrian to design a road car. We are very much looking forward to what I’m certain will be a successful partnership.”

As the designer of cars such as the Aston Martin DB11 - which was revealed earlier this month at the Geneva International Motor Show - the Aston Martin Vulcan and the One-77, Marek Reichman holds the key to the unmistakeable design language of the modern era of Aston Martins.

“We are in the process of developing a hypercar that combines the latest in aerodynamics from F1^TM and the stunning design language of an Aston Martin sports car,” said Reichman. “The opportunity to collaborate with Adrian (Newey) and Red Bull Advanced Technologies will be a fascinating experience for everyone involved. Unconstrained by F1^TM regulations, we have a unique chance to create a car in its most efficient form that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology.”

Having an illustrious Formula One career spanning nearly 30 years, and as the designer of ten World Championship winning Formula One cars, the partnership represents a new challenge for Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey.

“From the age of six I have had two goals in life – to be involved in the design of racing cars, and to be involved in the design of a super car.” Newey commented. “Whilst the former ambition went on to form my career to date, the latter has always bubbled away, resulting in countless sketches and doodles over the years.

“The opportunity to now develop and realise those ideas whilst working with Marek and his colleagues from Aston Martin is tremendously exciting.  It allows us to translate the technology we have developed in F1^TM into a new arena.”

The Aston Martin brand was borne out of the racing exploits of Lionel Martin - one of the founding partners of the British marque over 103 years ago - and the company made its international motor racing debut at the 1922 French Grand Prix. While motorsport has always remained integral to the brand’s DNA, the most famous moment in Aston Martin’s significant motorsport history is the 1959 outright win at the Le Mans 24 Hours for Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby in the Aston Martin DBR1. The modern Aston Martin Racing team, formed in 2005 has taken three class wins at Le Mans and will return to Circuit de la Sarthe again this June.

To celebrate the partnership between Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the RB12s will carry the iconic Aston Martin wings logo throughout the 2016 season, making their debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. 

F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo takes out customers for a test drive in the new Infiniti Q30 hatchback.

A customer at Infiniti Centre Birmingham took a test drive to remember when his driver turned out to be Daniel Ricciardo, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One pilot.

Last Saturday Infiniti Centre Birmingham provided a special afternoon for their customers with an informal question-and-answer session with top racing driver Daniel Ricciardo. 

For one customer, a Mr Sheng Zhao from Stratford- Upon-Avon, a loyal customer of the centre and a big F1™ fan, it was exceptionally special as he was provided the opportunity to take a passenger ride in a Q30 alongside Daniel at the wheel.

Mr Sheng Zhao who placed an order for a Q30 said afterwards: “I knew I was coming to see Daniel, as I love everything regarding Formula one. I was hoping to maybe get a signature, but to sit alongside him whilst driving around the streets of Birmingham in an Infiniti Q30 was quite something. The team here in Birmingham always treat me exceptionally well but they have surpassed themselves today.”

Daniel stayed at the Infiniti Centre for nearly two hours providing some great entertainment as Fayyaz Ahmed (Team GB Athletics senior Coach and RADA trained actor) fired many questions his way discovering what it took Daniel to get where he is today. This was followed by the audience getting involved with an open forum of questions and then the opportunity to get some Infiniti team caps signed and to chat with Daniel himself.

Among the guests was also Team GB athlete and Commonwealth high jump Silver Medallist Isobel Pooley who posed for some photos alongside Daniel Ricciardo, Fayyaz Ahmed and Marco Fassinotti who is ranked number two in the world for indoor and fifth in the world for outdoor high jump.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing previews the upcoming 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo

Q1: OK Daniel, what's so good about the Hungarian Grand Prix?

Ricciardo: 

How long have you got? The Hungarian Grand Prix has a lot going for it. Personally, I love these races in the European summer when you have the high temperatures and – usually – the great weather. Plus, it's the final race before the summer break, and that tends to put everyone in a good mood. 

There's usually a really good party on Sunday night and, because of the break, everyone tends to stay and have fun. Budapest is a cool city – really good restaurants and bars, really nice, really loyal fans and basically a great place to have a grand prix. That's the short version.

Q2: Your opinion of the track is a little mixed.

Ricciardo: 

It's a great, great track for a qualifying lap, one of the best of the year. It's tight, twisty and bumpy, and you have to use a lot of curb, so getting in a low fuel, new tire lap right on the limit is lots and lots of fun. But, for the same reasons the race tends to be quite tight with not a lot of overtaking.

Q3: And yet...

Ricciardo: 

Well, yeah, last year was a great race for me. Of the three wins last year, it was the one where I was definitely most excited during the race. It's tough for me to judge, but probably it was the best performance of the three, purely because of the people I passed to finish in the lead. I had tires in better condition – excellent strategy from our guys – but Fernando and Lewis don't let you have the places for free. I had to really work for it.

Q4: And rumors of a good celebration afterwards...

Ricciardo: 

Yeah, that happened! Winning the race was awesome, but the fact I had half a dozen mates over for the race made it even better. What I said about Hungary being the final race before the break? We had a really good Sunday night.

Daniil Kvyat

Q1: After a good race in Britain – at what might be termed a power circuit – we're heading for the Hungaroring. What are you expecting from Budapest's very different and very twisty circuit?

Kvyat: 

I really used to enjoy it in Formula Renault 2.0, but it's probably a little bit too narrow for modern Formula One cars. But still, in qualifying it really makes you push to the limit. You're right on the edge, and you never get a rest during the lap. I think that's the biggest characteristic of the circuit.

Q2: You mentioned racing in junior series. Has Hungary been kind to you in the past?

Kvyat: 

I was on pole and won there in Formula Renault 2.0 in 2012 and was on the podium in GP3 in the feature race, so I've got pretty good memories of racing here.

Q3: Is it a technically demanding track, a place where you have to be inch-perfect?

Kvyat: 

It is pretty challenging, yes. You need to hit every apex right. Don't make any mistakes in your line selection. It's quite a difficult one to get right, but I do find it to be a lot of fun.

Q4: Speaking of fun, Budapest comes with a reputation of being one of F1's more party-oriented venues. Do you get the chance to get out and about?

Kvyat: 

It's one of the best cities we go to during the whole championship. Budapest is very cool. We don't go crazy, obviously, but there are a few really nice restaurants along the river – particularly one Italian where I go quite often when I have time. I really like it along the river. It's cool.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing looks towards Bahrain with a Q and A with Ricciardo and Kvyat.

Daniel Ricciardo

Q1: What are you looking ahead to in Bahrain, after Shanghai?

Ricciardo: We stay in possibly the coolest hotel of the season. I haven't explored Manama, but out near the circuit where we're based we stay in a hotel with its own beach. Obviously the weather is great, and for training and relaxing for a few days before the event, yeah, it's pretty sweet.

Q2: Rumor has it the Bahrain International Circuit is your second favorite at Sakhir.

Ricciardo: Ha! Yeah, there's a really good go-kart track next to the circuit. Last year after testing you could go down there and hang out with the guys working at the track and do a few laps – obviously in your race overalls and helmet trying to look as cool as possible. Pretty good.

Q3: …and the grand prix circuit?

Ricciardo: It was the location of possibly my best qualifying lap ever, so I've got a few nice memories of Sakhir. Over one lap there's nothing that really has the "wow!" factor, but for racing it's a little better. Last year the race was one of the best. You can pass, and moving to an evening race spices things up a little. It kept you guessing with the tires. Yeah, it's a good track to race on. There's some tricky corners. Turn 10 is a funny turning-turning-braking-braking that's very technical, and when you get it right it feels good – but there's nothing that feels sick…

Q4: "Sick" in the Urban Dictionary sense?

Ricciardo: Yeah, that's the one.

Daniil Kvyat

Q1: On to the Sakhir circuit, the first night race of the season: Is that something you enjoy?

Kvyat: It makes a difference. The temperature is a lot easier on you as a driver. The tarmac is not so hot. The lighting is very good. There's no real issue with driving under lights. The track itself is what I would call a kind of "classic" configuration. It's got some flowing sections, some interesting corners. I enjoy it; it's a good racing track. The facilities are great and it's a good paddock.  

Q2: Is the circuit layout one that you like?

Kvyat: I had quite an unlucky race there last year but that doesn't make it a bad track for me. I think if you're fast and you're winning then any track is a good one! If you hit the right lines, if you hit on the right set-up and the right approach to the weekend, you're going to enjoy yourself.

Q3: And off-track?

Kvyat: We stay in a nice hotel in Bahrain. It's right by the beach and the atmosphere there is really nice. I haven't really been to Manama as it's pretty much just hotel and track!