Aston Martin Racing

Hello guys. I was watching the Porsche's test with the 2017 GTE car in Sebring today and i was wondering something. With the new cars from Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Corvette, is there any chance to see Aston Martin replacing the great Vantage with the new DB11. I'm saying this because Vantage is the 'oldest' platform on the grid right now and this year they used only some new aerodynamics elements according to the rules.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

 

That Aston Martin Racing exists at all is a minor miracle.

When Aston Martin arrived on the scene in 2006 with the full factory Prodrive entered DBR9 GT1
cars, it was almost as if the company was embarrassed to be racing. The atmosphere around the
team was very odd. The company threw cold water all over their chances of finishing much less
winning. Not a great way to keep up team morale.

Even the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) which had an opportunity to be on full display at the
debut race at Sebring suddenly pulled the plug on having their Members gathered in attendance
despite their event within an event being fully sponsor funded. It seemed the blue blood AMOC
hierarchy in the northeast had their noses out of joint about one of their events taking place out
of their backyards.

None the less, the DBR9 GT1 won in its debut at Sebring and Aston Martin under Dave Richards'
direction has been involved in racing ever since.

If Aston Martin are to remain involved, they'll have to step up to match the challenge of Ferrari,
Porsche, Corvette, etc., all of which are coming to the 2017 with completely new packages.

Read the other day that Kevin Buckler's 2017 plans are somewhat on hold until he knows that
Aston Martin will be bringing upgrades.

Over in the WEC, Aston Martin is in contention for the championship, locked in a virtual dead heat
with Ferrari in the points, with two races remaining. And, despite the unexplainable attitude coming
from Gaydon in 2006, fans of Aston Martin may take heart that Dave Richards has kept them in the
racing scene ten years on.

BHW

 

Nice read and thank you about your response. However i can't understand something. The competition is so strong and is getting even stronger in case that Aston Martin want to pause or 'wait' new upgrades. Do you believe that the Vantage platform is still competitive opposite to Ferrari, Ford, Porsche etc?

I believe that they are not in a position to wait and see what (and if) comes next. Of course this is my personal opinion.

Best

 

Whichever platform they decide to run, Aston Martin may be at a disadvantage in future, being the only manufacturers to field a front-wheel drive GTE.

Chevrolet has announced that its Corvette is switching to central engine in 2018 (a mistake in commercial terms in my book, but never mind), leaving Aston as the odd one out there.

 

Do you mean "front-engine"?

 

You mean all these years I've been under the false impression that's what they've been? If "switching" is pushing the engine further forward, methinks there'll be a slight understeer problem....

I'm gettin' dizzy....

edit: Aaahhh... My mistake. I see now you meant the Aston....

 

Yes, that's what I meant!!

Thanks.

 

So! Get it right next time!!!

(as I should.... )

 

No problem. I was just having a freak out because I thought maybe AM was switching to front wheel drive, and was like "Noooooooo!!!!"

 

Alas, if driven in reverse however, it would be rear engine, rear drive with new tech rear-steer; none of my aforementioned understeer.....hmmmmm .....something to ponder.....






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