Week Ending 8th March 2026
This week’s Aston Martin news and updates from the world of Aston Martin Lagonda, Formula One and the wider Aston Martin community.
Editor’s Introduction - Dan, Fuel the Passion
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
As another Formula One season prepares to begin in Melbourne, it has been one of those weeks where the Aston Martin story seems to be unfolding on several fronts at once.
On the racetrack, attention inevitably turns to the opening round of the championship at the Australian Grand Prix, where the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team arrives under intense scrutiny following a challenging winter test programme. The start of any new regulation cycle is always unpredictable, but the early narrative surrounding Aston Martin has been particularly dramatic, with reliability concerns and technical questions dominating the paddock conversation in the days leading up to the race.
After a turbulent week which saw shares in Aston Martin Lagonda fall to their lowest level since returning to the public markets, the wider global backdrop has also played its part this week, with events affecting energy giant Aramco providing an unexpected reminder of how closely motorsport and world events can sometimes intersect.
Away from Formula One, the broader Aston Martin world continues to move at pace. Developments within the team’s technology partnerships underline just how central data and artificial intelligence are becoming to modern motorsport. At the same time, the financial press continues to debate the long-term ownership structure of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc, reflecting the wider challenges faced by many smaller luxury manufacturers navigating the enormous costs of electrification and new vehicle platforms.
“Closer to home for many enthusiasts, this month also marks a remarkable milestone for the Aston Martin Owners Club, whose long-running publication AM Monthly has reached its 900th edition.”
It is a reminder that beyond the corporate headlines and the noise of Formula One, the enduring strength of Aston Martin has always been its community of owners and supporters.
Here at Fuel the Passion, the past week has also been busy behind the scenes. A new film documenting the latest chapter in my own Aston Martin ownership journey is nearly ready to publish, while plans are taking shape for several upcoming projects and events later in the year. So, as the Formula One circus gathers once again in Australia, this week’s roundup takes a look across the Aston Martin landscape, from the paddock at Albert Park to the ownership community and beyond. Grab a hot drink, get comfortable, lets dig in…
Aston Martin Faces a Challenging Start in Melbourne
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
At the time of writing, this week’s roundup has been prepared ahead of the race itself, so the final outcome of the Australian Grand Prix remains to be seen. By the time many readers are enjoying their Sunday morning coffee, the first race of the season will likely already have taken place.
However, given the events of the past few days, Formula One has unsurprisingly dominated the Aston Martin headlines this week. With the sport returning after the winter break, the spotlight has inevitably fallen on the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, and the early narrative emerging from Melbourne has been far from straightforward.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
During media briefings ahead of the race weekend, engineers and drivers openly discussed a significant vibration issue affecting the team’s new power unit package. According to comments attributed to technical leadership within the team, the vibrations originating from the engine are being transmitted through the car’s rigid carbon-fibre chassis structure and ultimately into the steering wheel.
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both acknowledged that the phenomenon was noticeable during testing, with Alonso suggesting he could potentially manage around twenty-five consecutive laps before discomfort became a concern, while Stroll estimated a lower threshold. The difference between the two is also likely influenced by Stroll’s previous wrist injuries, sustained during a cycling accident ahead of the 2023 season, which required surgery and the insertion of pins in his wrists before he returned to racing. While he made a remarkable recovery to compete that year, it is understandable that prolonged high-frequency vibration transmitted through the steering wheel could present a greater challenge for him than for his team-mate.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
More strikingly, the severity of the vibration has reportedly been sufficient to affect other components on the car during testing, with items such as mirrors and rain lights shaking loose under sustained running.
Engineers appear to believe the issue originates from the power unit rather than the chassis itself, although the complex interaction between the engine, battery systems and the carbon-fibre structure means the vibrations can be amplified as they travel through the car.
“It is important to emphasise that this is not unusual territory for Formula One, particularly during the first races of a new regulation cycle.”
The opening rounds of any season frequently expose reliability weaknesses that only become fully apparent when cars run continuously under race conditions. Nevertheless, the unusually candid nature of the team’s pre-race briefing has ensured that Aston Martin’s technical situation has become one of the most widely discussed topics in the Melbourne paddock.
The challenge is particularly visible this year because Aston Martin’s Formula One project has been built around an ambitious long-term vision led by team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
Over the past several seasons the organisation has invested heavily in infrastructure, including its new factory and wind tunnel facilities at Silverstone, alongside the recruitment of high-profile engineering talent such as Adrian Newey.
Expectations for progress have therefore been understandably high.
At the same time, Formula One remains a sport where the margin between success and frustration can be measured in the smallest of details. The complexity of modern hybrid power units, with their tightly integrated combustion engines, battery systems and energy recovery technologies, means that even minor imbalances can have significant consequences when translated through a car designed to be as stiff and lightweight as possible.
For Aston Martin, the immediate priority will simply be completing race distances and gathering valuable data. With a long season ahead, early setbacks rarely define the final championship picture. As Formula One history repeatedly demonstrates, development pace across the season often proves far more important than where a team begins the year.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
A further development also emerged late in the week following comments from Adrian Newey during the opening running ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Speaking to media on Friday, Newey revealed that Honda’s return to Formula One had brought unexpected challenges, with the manufacturer rebuilding its engine programme with a significantly reduced pool of experienced personnel after its earlier withdrawal from the sport. The situation has contributed to the power-unit reliability issues Aston Martin encountered during the opening practice sessions, where severe vibrations from the hybrid system caused battery problems and limited running for both drivers. With only two operational batteries available for the weekend at one stage, the team admitted there was genuine uncertainty about whether both cars would be able to start the race if further issues emerged.
For now, all eyes remain on Albert Park as the new season finally gets underway. By the time you may be reading this, qualifying and even the race maybe over, so we’ll pick this up again next week and follow throughout the season.
A New Season Begins - and Plenty Still Unknown
While Aston Martin’s technical challenges have inevitably dominated much of the early discussion, the broader mood around the paddock in Melbourne remains one of anticipation rather than certainty.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
The opening round of any Formula One season always carries a sense of intrigue, but this year perhaps more than most. The sport has entered another regulatory reset, with teams still learning how best to extract performance from the new generation of cars.
As several drivers and engineers have acknowledged during the build-up to the race weekend, the early rounds of the championship are likely to be characterised by rapid development and shifting competitive order rather than immediate dominance from any one team.
Across the paddock, the early consensus appears to place McLaren, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing among the leading contenders as the season begins. Yet even those teams have been cautious in their predictions, with several drivers noting that the new technical framework could produce dramatic swings in competitiveness as upgrades arrive throughout the year.
The atmosphere at Albert Park Circuit reflects that uncertainty. Melbourne has always been a unique setting for the season opener. The semi-street layout evolves rapidly across the weekend as rubber builds on the surface, often producing surprising results and creating opportunities for teams that might not necessarily dominate at more conventional circuits.
There are also fresh stories emerging elsewhere on the grid. One of the most notable developments this season is the arrival of Cadillac Formula One Team, a new entrant backed by the American automotive giant Cadillac. Establishing a brand-new Formula One team from the ground up is no small undertaking, and simply reaching the grid for the opening race represents a significant achievement for the organisation.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
Amid all the noise surrounding Aston Martin’s early technical difficulties, it is worth remembering an important point made by Adrian Newey during the team’s pre-race briefing. Newey suggested that, based purely on the chassis performance, he believes the car could be capable of competing within the top five if the vibration issues affecting the power unit can be resolved.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
That observation is significant. Formula One cars are the product of an extraordinarily complex interaction between aerodynamics, powertrain systems, energy recovery technology and mechanical design. If the underlying aerodynamic platform is competitive, reliability problems, while frustrating, are often more straightforward to address than fundamental performance deficiencies.
From a personal perspective, it is also difficult not to remain optimistic about the trajectory of this team. The scale of investment, the depth of engineering talent now assembled at Silverstone, and the long-term strategic partnerships surrounding the project all point toward an organisation that is still very much building for the future.
“Formula One seasons are rarely defined in March. The true story of the championship tends to reveal itself over the months that follow.”
Early technical problems can look dramatic in the spotlight of a season opener, but Formula One has always been a sport of relentless development and rapid problem-solving. Teams arrive at the first race with one car and often finish the season with something quite different.
As enthusiasts of the marque, it’s difficult not to remain optimistic about what this team may yet achieve once the inevitable early-season challenges are understood and resolved. For now, the season is only just beginning and the real story of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team in 2026 is still waiting to be written.
Shortly after the Fuel the Passion Weekly Roundup was drafted, Honda Racing Corporation released the following statement from Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara, providing additional insight into the power-unit issues encountered during Friday’s running. HRC Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara provided the following update:
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
“FP2 today was valuable for us, as we were able to see the effects of our countermeasures. With Lance and Fernando completing a combined 31 laps, we were able to gather the necessary data to determine that the items we implemented first on the dyno at HRC Sakura are working at the track. As a result, there are less battery vibrations occurring according to our analysis gathered during the session.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
Today did start off with us identifying a power unit issue on Fernando’s car. We tried to rectify this before the start of FP1, but unfortunately we weren’t able to complete the work on time. Therefore, the decision was made that car #14 would sit out of the session whilst the work on the PU continued. We also had an issue with Lance’s PU, and we decided to box and investigate, allowing us to make the changes for FP2.”
The comments suggest that while early teething issues appeared during practice, the countermeasures tested by Honda appear to be producing encouraging early data.
Update – Qualifying in Melbourne: Since drafting this week’s report, qualifying for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix has taken place at Albert Park. Mercedes delivered an emphatic statement of intent for the new regulation era, locking out the front row with George Russell on pole position ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar secured third and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the top four.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
For the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team it proved to be a far more difficult session.
Fernando Alonso qualified 17th after being eliminated in Q1, while Lance Stroll was unable to set a lap time after the team ran out of time to rebuild his car following ongoing technical problems linked to the Honda power unit.
The AMR26 continues to suffer from severe vibration issues affecting the battery systems, leaving the team short of operational components and underlining just how challenging the start of the 2026 season has been for Aston Martin.
Middle East Conflict and the Aramco Energy Shock
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
Events in the Middle East also cast a shadow over global energy markets this week. As the conflict involving Iran intensified, energy infrastructure across the Gulf region became a target, including facilities linked to Saudi Aramco. On 2 March, drones struck the Aramco refinery at Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia, the country’s largest oil refinery, prompting a temporary halt in operations despite relatively limited physical damage.
The wider geopolitical repercussions have been significant. Energy markets reacted immediately, with oil prices jumping as fears grew over potential disruptions to supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments.
“In the days following the attack, crude oil prices rose by around 25%, with analysts warning that further increases could follow if instability in the region continues or if shipping routes were disrupted.”
Image © Fuel the Passion, FTP Vantage, Austria 2025
For drivers and enthusiasts, the implications could become very real. Rising oil prices typically translate into higher petrol and diesel costs at the pumps, and sustained increases could inevitably influence travel plans across Europe and beyond.
Many within the Aston Martin community already have drives, events and gatherings planned throughout 2026, and while it is far too early to know how the situation will unfold, significant fuel price increases could cause some owners to think more carefully about long-distance journeys.
For the motorsport world, the story has a curious connection. The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team carries Aramco as its title partner, meaning developments affecting the global energy giant inevitably draw attention within the Formula One paddock as well.
While the immediate sporting implications remain limited, the episode serves as a reminder of how closely motorsport sponsorship, global energy markets and geopolitics can sometimes intersect and how events far beyond the racetrack can still ripple through the world of motoring.
Beyond the immediate impact on energy markets, the situation could also raise wider questions for international motorsport. Racing series such as Formula One, the World Endurance Championship and other global championships rely heavily on travel and logistics across multiple regions. Should instability in the Middle East intensify, organisers may inevitably be forced to consider whether scheduled races in the region can proceed as planned, particularly if security concerns or disruptions to transport and fuel supply begin to affect teams and freight movements. We’ll monitor this situation in future weekly roundups.
Aston Martin Embraces Artificial Intelligence
While much of the public attention this week has understandably centred on events unfolding at the Australian Grand Prix, there was also an important announcement off the track that provides a glimpse into how modern Formula One teams continue to evolve technologically.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team confirmed a new multi-year partnership with the enterprise artificial intelligence company Cohere, which joins the organisation as its Official Generative AI Partner. The collaboration highlights the growing importance of advanced computing and machine learning within the sport, where vast quantities of performance data are generated every time a Formula One car turns a wheel.
Under the partnership, Cohere’s secure large language models and AI systems will be integrated across several areas of the team’s operations. Engineers and analysts will have access to the company’s AI platform, designed to assist with data analysis, operational efficiency and internal knowledge management.
Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
In an environment where decision-making must often happen in seconds during a race weekend, the ability to interpret and process complex datasets more quickly can offer a meaningful competitive advantage.
Formula One has long been regarded as one of the most technologically demanding environments in sport, and partnerships like this underline how the boundaries between motorsport engineering and the wider technology sector continue to blur. Artificial intelligence is already playing an increasing role in simulation, strategy modelling and design optimisation, and the coming years will likely see these tools become even more deeply embedded within the way teams operate.
From a broader Aston Martin perspective, the collaboration also reflects the organisation’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of innovation within Formula One. Alongside new facilities, expanded engineering teams and a growing network of technical partners, initiatives like this demonstrate that the Silverstone operation is building an infrastructure designed not just for the present season, but for long-term competitiveness.
In a sport where milliseconds often separate success from frustration, the intelligent use of data may prove just as important as horsepower or aerodynamic efficiency.
Aston Martin Lagonda: Ownership Speculation Returns
Away from the racetrack this week, attention also turned once again to the corporate future of Aston Martin Lagonda, after renewed speculation emerged in sections of the financial press regarding the company’s long-term ownership structure.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
A recent analysis published by Forbes revisited a question that has surfaced periodically in recent years: whether Aston Martin could ultimately become the subject of a takeover or majority acquisition by one of its existing strategic investors.
The company’s current ownership structure is already unusually international. The largest individual shareholder remains Lawrence Stroll, whose consortium rescued the business in 2020 and has since overseen significant investment in the brand, its product portfolio and its Formula One team. Alongside Stroll’s stake sit several major strategic partners, including Mercedes-Benz Group, Chinese automotive group Geely, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, each of whom holds meaningful shareholdings in the business.
Given this mix of investors, speculation occasionally surfaces that one party could seek to increase its stake further, potentially leading to a more formal takeover scenario. Such discussions are not unusual in the automotive industry, particularly for a smaller manufacturer operating within an increasingly complex global marketplace. For the moment, however, there is no confirmed indication that any such move is imminent.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Aston Martin remains publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange, and the current investor structure reflects a deliberate strategy to combine capital, technology partnerships and global market access.
From a Fuel the Passion perspective, it is worth remembering that the modern Aston Martin story has already passed through several phases of ownership during its long history.
“What ultimately matters most to enthusiasts is that the company continues to build remarkable cars and preserve the distinctive character that has defined the marque for over a century.”
Corporate headlines will inevitably come and go, but the identity of Aston Martin has always proven remarkably resilient. I suspect many admirers of the marque would share the same hope that this resilience continues long into the future. For well over a century Aston Martin has navigated changing ownership, economic cycles and moments of uncertainty, yet the essence of the brand, the cars, the engineering, and the passion it inspires, has endured. That enduring character is ultimately what matters most to enthusiasts.
AMOC Monthly Reaches a Remarkable Milestone: Issue 900
Among the more uplifting pieces of Aston Martin news this week came not from a racetrack or a showroom, but from the letterboxes of club members across the country.
Image © Fuel the Passion
The March 2026 edition of AM Monthly, the magazine of the Aston Martin Owners Club, marks a truly remarkable milestone: issue number 900. For a specialist enthusiast publication to reach such a number is no small achievement.
Image © Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) used for editorial purposes
Over the decades the magazine has chronicled everything from early club gatherings and restoration projects to factory developments, motorsport triumphs and the ever-evolving landscape of Aston Martin ownership.
The 900th edition reflects that same rich mixture of content. Readers will find features exploring notable Aston Martin models, club events and owner stories, alongside updates from within the wider Aston Martin world. As always, the magazine manages to strike that distinctive AMOC balance: celebrating heritage while still keeping a close eye on the modern era of the brand.
Image © Fuel the Passion
Without giving too much away for those who have not yet opened their copy, this particular issue includes a variety of articles spanning the breadth of Aston Martin life, from historic cars and restoration insights through to contemporary ownership experiences and club activities.
It is exactly the sort of publication that reminds readers how broad and diverse the Aston Martin community has become.
For those who are not yet members of the club, AM Monthly is just one of the many benefits that come with joining the Aston Martin Owners Club. Membership provides access to a vibrant community of owners and enthusiasts, regional events, driving tours, concours gatherings, technical resources and of course the monthly magazine itself. Anyone interested in learning more about the club and how to join can do so via the AMOC website.
In an era where much automotive media now exists only in digital form, there is something reassuring about the continued arrival of a printed magazine dedicated entirely to Aston Martin. Nine hundred issues later, AM Monthly remains a testament to the enduring passion that surrounds the marque. Behind every issue sits a dedicated group of editors, contributors and volunteers who quietly keep the Aston Martin community connected, informed and entertained.
“On reaching the remarkable milestone of issue 900, it feels entirely appropriate to say thank you to everyone who has played a part in producing this much-loved magazine over the years. Long may it continue.”
AML Stock Watch - A Volatile Week and a New Record Low
Shares in Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc experienced another volatile week on the markets. The stock closed on Friday 6 March 2026 at 42.45 pence, capping a week that saw dramatic swings in investor sentiment following the company’s recently announced 2025 results and reports of job reductions.
Image © Fuel the Passion
The most striking moment came on Wednesday 4 March, when the share price fell to an intraday low of 38.00 pence, marking a new 52-week low and one of the lowest levels recorded since the company returned to the public markets. Despite that sharp drop, the market reaction proved fluid. During the same trading session the shares staged a notable recovery, closing the day at 44.20 pence, representing a strong rebound from the morning’s low.
By the end of trading on Friday the stock settled at 42.45 pence, a marginal decline of just 0.11% from Thursday’s close of 42.50 pence.
“While the daily movement was relatively small, the broader picture over recent weeks remains more dramatic.”
Looking back just five weeks, the scale of the decline becomes clearer. On 6 February 2026, shares in Aston Martin Lagonda closed at 60.45 pence.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
The current price therefore represents a fall of almost 30% over the past month, with the steepest part of that decline occurring in the final days of February when the stock dropped from 55.25 pence on 25th February to the sub-40 pence levels seen earlier this week.
Market movements often tell only part of the story, and share prices can shift quickly as investors respond to new information. For Aston Martin, the coming months will likely prove pivotal as the company continues executing its strategy and delivering the next phase of its product programme.
Car of the Week - Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition
Each week I enjoy highlighting an interesting Aston Martin currently on the market, whether it be a future collectible, a particularly well-specified example, or simply a car that reminds us why these machines continue to capture the imagination of enthusiasts.
Image © Chiltern Aston Centre Ltd, for editorial purposes
This week’s selection comes from the respected specialists at Chiltern Aston Centre Ltd, where a beautifully presented 2015 Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition is currently available.
Finished in the distinctive Spectre Silver paintwork created to celebrate Aston Martin’s long association with the James Bond franchise, the DB9 GT Bond Edition marked the final chapter of the DB9 lineage before the arrival of the DB11.
Limited to just 150 examples worldwide, the car was released in 2015 alongside the James Bond film Spectre, serving as a commemorative model celebrating more than half a century of collaboration between Aston Martin and the 007 series. While Bond himself famously drove the bespoke DB10 in the film, the DB9 GT Bond Edition became the collector’s tribute to that partnership.
Under the bonnet sits Aston Martin’s glorious 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12, producing 540 horsepower and delivering performance that still feels effortlessly muscular today.
Image © Chiltern Aston Centre Ltd, for editorial purposes
Yet as with many Aston Martins, the true appeal lies not simply in the numbers but in the sense of occasion the car delivers.
The DB9’s elegant proportions, flowing design and unmistakable V12 soundtrack represent the closing years of what many enthusiasts regard as Aston Martin’s classic modern era.
The example currently offered by Chiltern Aston Centre shows just 13,000 miles, presenting as a particularly appealing opportunity for collectors or enthusiasts seeking a low-mileage example of this limited run model. As the final DB9 variant and one of the last naturally aspirated V12 grand tourers produced before the brand’s next design generation arrived, cars such as this increasingly feel like an important marker in Aston Martin’s evolving story.
A Few Aston Martin-Themed Surprises
Beyond the seriousness of Aston Martin’s current financial challenges and the difficulties facing the Formula One team this week, I thought it might be nice to bring a little bit of fun into this edition of the roundup.
This weekend also happens to coincide with my birthday, and I was fortunate enough to receive a few wonderful Aston Martin-themed gifts from family. Apparently I’m 35 again… although the calendar insists I’m actually 51 now! Let’s just say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to look entirely respectable on camera these days!
In any case, I thought readers might enjoy seeing a few of these items, as they are exactly the sort of things many Aston Martin enthusiasts might appreciate. The Aston Martin world extends well beyond the cars themselves. Books, models and small lifestyle pieces often capture the design, heritage and spirit of the marque in a different way. Below are a few of the items I was lucky enough to receive.
For transparency, I should also mention that some of the links included below are affiliate links. If any of the items happen to take your interest and you choose to purchase through one of those links, it doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it does provide a small contribution towards supporting Fuel the Passion and keeping both the website and YouTube channel running. As always, thank you for your support. So let’s dive in…
A Couple of Motoring Reads
The first birthday surprises arrived in the form of a pair of motoring books, both of which immediately caught my attention for slightly different reasons.
Sitting together rather neatly are **Aston Martin: Made in Britain by Ben Collins and **Mr Wilman's Motoring Adventure by Andy Wilman. One dives directly into the story of Aston Martin itself, while the other lifts the curtain on the extraordinary television phenomenon that was Top Gear and later The Grand Tour.
Quite by coincidence, the first of these, Ben Collins’ Aston Martin: Made in Britain, also connects rather nicely with this week’s Car of the Week, the remarkable Aston Martin DB9 GT 007 Edition. Having just been reflecting on Aston Martin’s long-standing association with James Bond, it feels entirely appropriate that one of the birthday gifts waiting for me should explore exactly that world.
Collins, known to many as the former Stig on Top Gear, is not only a racing driver but also a stunt driver in several Bond films. His book tells the story of Aston Martin through the iconic DB lineage, celebrating the beautifully engineered grand tourers that became synonymous with both British motoring heritage and the cinematic world of 007. From the earliest David Brown-era machines through to more modern interpretations, the book explores the characters, risks and ingenuity that helped shape one of Britain’s most recognisable automotive brands.
Meanwhile, Andy Wilman’s Mr Wilman's Motoring Adventure takes a slightly different but equally fascinating route. As the long-time producer and creative force behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Wilman recounts the unlikely journey of how what began as a sensible consumer motoring programme eventually became the most popular factual television show on the planet.
Reading the back cover alone brings back memories of Sunday evenings spent watching Clarkson, Hammond and May attempting the sort of motoring challenges that most sensible adults would politely decline.
At 51 years old (apparently the birthday cake confirmed this rather firmly), I’m increasingly discovering that a quiet evening with a good motoring book is becoming one of life’s real pleasures. These two will certainly be moving close to the top of the reading pile! These two will also feature in the FTP Book Library.
Next we move on to what might best be described as the “big kid” section of the birthday gifts.
At heart I suspect many of us who love cars never really grow out of the fascination we had as children. The only real difference is that the toys tend to become a little more expensive as the years go by. While the calendar now insists I am 51 years old, the arrival of a new model Aston Martin still manages to bring out the same enthusiasm I probably had when I was about eight!
This particular gift is a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels Premium Aston Martin Vanquish, inspired by the car made famous in the James Bond film Die Another Day. The timing is rather fitting too. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first-generation Aston Martin Vanquish (2001–2007), a car I have always had a particular affection for. The original Vanquish combined muscular presence with beautifully sculpted design and quickly became one of the defining Aston Martins of the modern era.
“Although I don’t yet have a full-size first-generation Vanquish sitting in the garage, I suppose I can now claim to own one, albeit in 1:64 scale form!”
This model comes from the Hot Wheels Pop Culture premium series, meaning it features a metal body and chassis along with the company’s “Real Riders” rubber tyres, giving it a more authentic look and feel than the typical toy car. The packaging itself is also beautifully designed, making it something collectors may well choose to keep intact rather than opening.
More than anything, it’s a lovely little reminder of the enduring connection between Aston Martin and the world of James Bond, a partnership that has produced some of the most memorable automotive moments ever seen on screen.
With 2026 marking the 25th anniversary of the first-generation Vanquish, it’s a car that will certainly be receiving more attention here on Fuel the Passion in the months ahead. So do keep an eye on both the website and the YouTube channel as we head into the spring, there will be more Vanquish-related content to come.
Two More Aston Martin Miniatures Join the Collection
Finally, I was also given these two beautiful Aston Martin models, both presented in wonderfully designed display boxes that make them feel far more special than the photographs probably manage to show. The level of detail on these is genuinely impressive, and they make fantastic display pieces for any Aston Martin enthusiast. I’m particularly fond of both cars for different reasons.
The DB10 holds a special place for me because its design language was the car that really made me fall in love with the modern Aston Martin Vantage, the shape, the stance and the proportions that eventually evolved into the Vantage I’m fortunate enough to own today.
And then there is the DB5, quite simply one of the most famous cars in the world. Like many people of my generation, I grew up watching James Bond films on television, staring at that silver DB5 and thinking it was the coolest car imaginable. More recently I’ve also been lucky enough to see one of the recreated continuation DB5s up close, which was an absolute treat.
So while I fully accept that owning full-size versions of these cars might remain a distant dream, I can at least say that I now have a rather lovely Aston Martin collection - albeit in miniature form!
The Aston Martin DB10 was created specifically for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. Unlike most Bond cars, the DB10 was not derived from an existing production model but was instead designed as a bespoke grand tourer by Aston Martin’s design team.
Only ten examples of the DB10 were built for filming, making it one of the rarest Aston Martins ever created. The car features a carbon-fibre body and a V8 engine, and its dramatic styling went on to influence later Aston Martin designs, most notably the 2018 V8 Vantage. Although the DB10 was never offered for sale to the public, its appearance in Spectre ensured it immediately became part of Aston Martin’s cinematic history.
Aston Martin DB5 – Casino Royale
Few cars are as closely associated with cinema as the Aston Martin DB5. First introduced in 1963, the DB5 quickly became one of Aston Martin’s most recognisable grand tourers, but its status was cemented forever through its association with James Bond.
In Casino Royale, the DB5 appears with a distinctive blue and yellow Bahamas registration plate, marking one of the character’s most memorable introductions to the car in the modern Bond era. The real DB5 itself evolved from the DB4 Series V and featured a more powerful aluminium straight-six engine along with a luxurious interior trimmed with leather and wool carpets. With a top speed of around 145 mph, it represented the pinnacle of British grand touring in the 1960s.
More than sixty years later, the DB5 remains one of the most celebrated cars Aston Martin has ever built.
While this exact model appears to be quite difficult to track down today, there are still some excellent DB5 models available for collectors. I’ve included an affiliate link below to a 1:43 scale Corgi James Bond Aston Martin DB5, which captures many of the classic details that made the original car so famous on screen.
Corgi’s James Bond collection celebrates some of the most iconic vehicles from the 007 films, and the DB5 remains the centrepiece of that history. Finished in the familiar silver paintwork, the model recreates the elegant lines of the original grand tourer and includes several of the legendary Bond features such as the working ejector seat, pop-up bullet shield, overriders and machine guns.
Produced at 1:43 scale, it’s a detailed die-cast model that works equally well as a collector’s display piece or as a nostalgic reminder of one of cinema’s most famous cars.
Corgi themselves have been producing die-cast model cars since 1956, and their models have long been associated with British motoring heritage and film history. For many collectors, a Corgi DB5 is almost a rite of passage.
A quick note: As mentioned, some of the links included above are affiliate links. This simply means that if you choose to purchase something through them, Fuel the Passion may receive a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it does help support the running of the website and the YouTube channel, so thank you if you do choose to use them.
Fuel the Passion Update - Filming, Planning and the Season Ahead
Away from the news headlines, it has also been a busy week behind the scenes here at Fuel the Passion, as preparations continue for the next wave of films and projects coming to the channel.
Image © Fuel the Passion
Over the past few days I have been finalising the edit for a new video titled “Aston Martin Vantage Service at JCT600 Leeds | Diff Leak Found & Factory Upgrade.” This video goes live on 8th March 2026 at 1200 GMT.
In the film I take my own 2019 Aston Martin Vantage (2019), the FTP Vantage, to JCT600 Aston Martin Leeds for its seventh annual service. As many Aston Martin owners will know, a routine service visit can sometimes reveal the unexpected, and during the inspection a differential leak was discovered which required attention. Thankfully the issue was resolved, and the visit also provided the opportunity to install a small but rather nice factory upgrade.
Image © Fuel the Passion
Alongside the servicing work, the visit also offered the chance to spend some time exploring the showroom at Leeds. There were several notable cars present, including a striking Aston Martin Vanquish Volante 60th Anniversary Edition and the new Aston Martin Vantage S Roadster finished in Titanium Grey.
One particularly fascinating sight remains the Aston Martin Vantage Formula One Safety Car, the very car that famously led the Formula One field during the dramatic closing stages of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is always remarkable to see such a historically significant car sitting quietly in a showroom. For those who may not have seen it, I previously filmed a closer look at this very car during an earlier visit to the dealership. You can watch that video here:
Beyond the current edit, planning is also underway for several upcoming filming opportunities. In the coming weeks I will be travelling to both Aston Martin Lagonda Headquarters and Aston Martin Works for meetings and filming connected with a forthcoming Vanquish 25th Anniversary series of films. The Vanquish remains one of Aston Martin’s most important modern models, and the opportunity to contribute to marking this milestone is something I am very much looking forward to sharing with the Fuel the Passion audience.
At the same time, like many enthusiasts at this time of year, I have also been quietly planning the calendar for the upcoming car season. Tickets are being booked, routes plotted and filming ideas sketched out for events across the year ahead. One event that is firmly on the list once again is the Goodwood Revival, which remains one of the most atmospheric motoring gatherings anywhere in the world.
For those who may have missed it, I recently published a new film covering last year’s Revival, capturing the unique blend of historic racing, remarkable machinery and period atmosphere that makes the event so special. If you have not yet seen that video, I would encourage you to take a look, it provides a small taste of why the Revival continues to draw enthusiasts back year after year. Just click on the image below, and we’ll take you straight there.
As always with Fuel the Passion, there is plenty more to come.
Final Thoughts - Dan, Fuel the Passion
It has been one of those weeks where the Aston Martin story has unfolded across several very different fronts.
In Formula One, attention has understandably been drawn to the challenges surrounding the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and its new package ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Reliability concerns have dominated the headlines, yet the long-term foundations of the team, from the Silverstone campus to the engineering talent now assembled there, still offer plenty of reasons for optimism as the season develops.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
The wider global backdrop has also provided a reminder of how closely motorsport sometimes intersects with world events. Escalating tensions in the Middle East and reports of attacks on energy infrastructure linked to Saudi Aramco have prompted renewed discussion around global fuel supply and pricing. While the direct impact on Formula One remains limited, developments affecting one of the sport’s most prominent partners inevitably attract attention across the paddock and beyond.
At the same time, the financial markets have provided their own reminder of the pressures facing the wider automotive industry. Shares in Aston Martin Lagonda fell to 38.00 pence during trading on Wednesday, marking the lowest level seen since the company returned to the public markets. Yet even within that volatility there were signs of how quickly sentiment can move, with the stock recovering strongly during the same trading session. Market movements often tell only part of a story, and the true trajectory of the company will ultimately be shaped by the cars it builds, the strategy it executes and the passion that continues to surround the brand.
Meanwhile, away from the noise of markets and racing paddocks, the Aston Martin community quietly celebrated an important milestone with the 900th edition of AM Monthly, produced by the Aston Martin Owners Club. Reaching nine hundred issues is no small achievement and serves as a reminder that the strength of the marque has always been rooted in the people who care about it most.
With spring slowly approaching, attention for many of us naturally begins to turn towards the year ahead, the events we plan to attend, the drives we hope to take, and the stories still waiting to be told.
Image © Fuel the Passion
From upcoming filming projects to the anticipation of returning to places like the Goodwood Revival, as I mentioned in the previous section, the season ahead already promises plenty to look forward to.
Ultimately, whatever happens in the markets or on the racetrack, the passion that surrounds Aston Martin continues to endure and that, after all, is what Fuel the Passion is all about.
On a personal note, thank you as well for indulging the small birthday detour in this week’s roundup. The Aston Martin-themed gifts were a lovely surprise from family, and if any of the items featured happen to take your fancy and you choose to pick one up through the links provided, then thank you, it genuinely helps support the continued running of Fuel the Passion.
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