Now we know what appeals to a two-time Formula 1 driver world champion.
For most car enthusiasts, it doesn’t take much to get the pulse racing; Anything over 400 hp, a clear track and the right soundtrack are enough. But what about the drivers who spend their working lives going 200+ miles per hour, braking incredibly late, and living at the limit every other weekend? If that speed is your day job, it begs the question: What, if anything, appeals to someone lucky enough to call themselves a Formula 1 driver? Fernando Alonso, driver for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team, gave us all a glimpse of what gives him that thrill and it’s taking shape: Aston Martin’s V12-powered Valiant. Fernando took to Instagram yesterday to share photos of his casual Sunday drive through the hills of Monaco in his $2.5 million limited-edition hypercar.
The Valiant exists because even Aston Martin understands that some drivers want more than horsepower and modern technology; They want something raw, loud and visceral. It’s a car built to get closer to the company’s racing soul, paring things down and turning up the volume for the kind of drivers like Fernando Alonso who still crave a challenge behind the wheel. With only 38 examples built worldwide, Alonso features an uncanny visible carbon finish that reveals its ultralight DNA and focus on an unwavering driving experience. Arguably one of the most notable features of its configuration are the aero-style monobloc wheels, which add a modern touch that blends with the bodywork rather than stealing the show. The Instagram post even gave us a look inside, where Aston Martin displays its exposed six-speed manual gearbox like a work of art in a museum, offering the sounds and feels that tick all the boxes for a truly analogue experience.
At the heart of the Aston Martin Valiant is a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, an engine that feels increasingly rare and special by the day. It sends 745 hp and 753 lb-ft of torque directly to the rear wheels via a proper six-speed manual transmission, a choice that says everything about what this car wants to be. There’s no electrification or tricks, just massive power, a clutch pedal and the expectation that the driver is fully engaged. The result is a sprint to 60 mph in under three seconds and a top speed well over 200 mph, delivered in a package that feels less like a modern supercar and more like a last stand for an old-school Aston Martin.
Source: @fernandoalo_oficial Instagram
