Week Ending 15th March 2026

Editor’s Introduction - Dan, Fuel the Passion

Another week has passed in the Aston Martin world, and once again the story spans everything from Formula One challenges to remarkable engineering achievements and fascinating moments from the marque’s past. Last week here on Fuel the Passion we looked ahead to the opening round of the Formula One season in Melbourne and the questions surrounding Aston Martin’s early reliability issues. As the championship now moves on to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, those challenges have continued to shape the early narrative of the season. The Sprint race in China has already provided another difficult outing for the team. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished towards the back of the field, which was replicated in the race qualifying results, with both drivers sustaining those rear of the grid positions, as Aston Martin continues working through reliability and performance questions surrounding the AMR26.

Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.

Adding further uncertainty to the weekend, reports emerging late on Friday suggest that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for next month may be cancelled due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. While official confirmation is still awaited at the time of writing, the situation is being closely monitored across the Formula One paddock, with safety considerations understandably taking priority.

This week we’ll take a look back at the remarkable Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar programme, prompted in part by revisiting some fascinating onboard footage while reflecting on the car’s first full season competing in endurance racing during 2025. It’s a project that continues to capture the imagination of enthusiasts whenever that extraordinary V12 engine echoes around a race circuit.

We’ll also turn our attention to the growing momentum behind Blackthorn Racing, a team doing exciting things with the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and one that I’m hoping to cover in greater detail here on Fuel the Passion in the months ahead.

Elsewhere, we’ll briefly look at the latest movement in Aston Martin’s share price, consider the wider impact of rising oil prices on motorists, and finish with a very special Fuel the Passion Car of the Week, the spectacular Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition, one of the rarest modern Aston Martins ever produced.

So, as always, grab a hot drink, get comfortable, and take a few minutes out of your day to catch up on this week in the world of Aston Martin. Let’s dig in.

Formula One - A Difficult Weekend in Shanghai and Uncertainty Ahead

After the difficult opening race weekend in Melbourne, attention has quickly shifted to the next round of the championship in Shanghai, where Aston Martin continued working through the technical issues that we are now familiar with. While the team arrived in China hoping to build momentum, the reality remains that the opening races are still largely about understanding the behaviour of the car and gradually working through the reliability challenges that emerged in Australia.

As this week’s roundup was being finalised, the opening Sprint race of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix weekend had already taken place as well as the qualifying for the actual race in Shanghai. These proved to be challenging sessions for the Aston Martin Formula One Team. Fernando Alonso finished the Sprint in 17th position, with Lance Stroll just behind in 18th, both drivers completing the race ahead of only Sergio Pérez. The session was won by George Russell for Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completing the podium positions for Ferrari. We’ll go into the qualifying for the full race in more detail below.

Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.

For Aston Martin, the result reflects a difficult start to the weekend.
The team has been continuing its efforts to better understand the behaviour of the AMR26, gathering valuable data while managing reliability concerns that have limited performance in the opening stages of the season.

Alonso described the situation as something of a “survival mode” weekend, with the team working carefully through its available parts and ongoing technical challenges.

Qualifying - Aston Martin Struggles Continue in Shanghai

Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix unfortunately brought little improvement for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. Both drivers were eliminated in Q1, highlighting the ongoing performance challenges. Fernando Alonso qualified 19th with a fastest lap of 1:35.203, while Lance Stroll ended the session 21st with a time of 1:35.995, meaning neither car progressed beyond the opening knockout stage.

Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.

However, behind the scenes the focus for both Aston Martin and Honda remains firmly on reliability and understanding the behaviour of the power unit. Speaking after Saturday’s running at the Shanghai International Circuit, **Honda Racing Corporation Trackside General Manager Shintaro Orihara** explained that the team had been able to gather valuable mileage during the weekend, including completing the full Sprint race distance.

Orihara noted that the additional running has helped build confidence in the countermeasures introduced to reduce battery vibration, an issue that first appeared during the opening round in Melbourne. With several hundred kilometres now completed across the first two races, Honda believes the data collected is helping the team move in the right direction.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, the target for both Honda and Aston Martin remains straightforward, complete the full race distance and continue building understanding of the package, with every lap providing valuable information as the season develops.

“However, the on-track story may soon be overshadowed by wider developments affecting the Formula One calendar itself.”

Reports emerging late on Friday suggest that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, currently scheduled for April, may be cancelled due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. At the time of completing this roundup, while no official confirmation has yet been issued by Formula One or the FIA, several senior figures within the sport have indicated that a decision could be announced within the coming days.

Safety considerations for personnel and logistics are understood to be central to the discussions. If both races were ultimately removed from the schedule and not replaced, the 2026 season would likely be reduced from 24 races to 22, creating a longer gap in the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix.

For now, Formula One waits for official confirmation. But the situation serves as a reminder that global events can sometimes have a direct impact on the sporting calendar, even in a championship as vast and complex as Formula One.

Sky Sports F1 Analysis - An Open Discussion

Further insight into the Aston Martin and Honda situation came from analysis on The F1 Show Podcast, where commentators reflected on the press conference involving Aston Martin and Honda representatives during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes. Last weekends press conference prior to the Australian Grand Prix.

Observers noted that the discussion was unusually candid by Formula One standards. Rather than deflecting questions, it became clear that the vibration issues affecting the Honda power unit were the primary source of the team’s difficulties.

The analysis also highlighted the unusual race situation that followed. At one stage during the Melbourne race, Fernando Alonso briefly returned to the circuit after stopping in the garage, circulating several laps down while the team continued to collect data on the car. In effect, the race had become something of a live engineering exercise, an opportunity to gather information that could help guide the team’s development work over the coming races.

Driver Reaction

Both drivers were honest in their assessment of the current situation. Lance Stroll delivered a blunt summary of the team’s frustrations following Sprint Qualifying.

“We’re not here to fight for 19th.”

His comments reflect the reality that Aston Martin entered the season expecting to compete much further up the grid.

Image © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.

Meanwhile **Fernando Alonso** acknowledged that some progress has been made compared with the earliest running of the season, even if the gap to competitors remains significant.
*“We are making progress, but we are still far away.”*
For now, the focus remains firmly on steady engineering progress rather than immediate results.

From a personal perspective, I think many Aston Martin supporters will simply be hoping to see the team unlock the potential of the car as the season develops. With the influence of Adrian Newey shaping the technical direction of the programme, there is a real sense that this car should have far more to offer once the early reliability issues are resolved. Hopefully in the races ahead we’ll begin to see that potential emerge and get a clearer picture of what this new Aston Martin package is truly capable of.

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Aston Martin Valkyrie - A Look Back at the Hypercar Programme

While Aston Martin’s Formula One programme continues to work through the early challenges of the 2026 season, I recently came across a detailed review looking back at the 2025 endurance racing season for the Aston Martin Valkyrie. It served as a timely reminder of just how significant this project has been for Aston Martin’s modern motorsport ambitions.

The Valkyrie’s first full season competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship marked an important milestone for the programme. It represented the culmination of one of the most ambitious engineering efforts ever undertaken by Aston Martin Lagonda, transforming what began as a radical road-going hypercar concept into a machine capable of competing at the highest level of endurance racing. Whilst written reviews can explain the engineering story, the best way to understand the character of the Valkyrie is simply to hear it. To give a sense of what this extraordinary car is like from behind the wheel, it’s worth watching this short onboard lap from Alex Riberas at Fuji Speedway.

“In just *1 minute and 46 seconds**, the footage offers a driver’s-eye view of the Valkyrie at speed and perhaps more importantly, the unforgettable sound of its naturally aspirated V12 engine.”*

Even in such a short clip, the character of the Valkyrie is unmistakable. The car feels raw, mechanical and utterly unlike most modern race machinery, something that becomes immediately clear the moment the engine fires into life. That distinctive sound is no accident. At the heart of the Valkyrie sits one of the most extraordinary engines ever developed for a road-derived hypercar, a naturally aspirated V12 created by British engineering specialists Cosworth. In an era increasingly dominated by turbocharged power units and hybrid systems, the Valkyrie’s engine stands apart as a celebration of high-revving internal combustion engineering.

The Cosworth V12 - A Modern Engineering Masterpiece

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

The naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, developed by British engineering specialists Cosworth, produces over 1,000 horsepower and revs to an astonishing 11,000 rpm, figures more commonly associated with Formula One engines from a previous era than modern road cars.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Unlike many modern hypercars that rely heavily on turbocharging to achieve extreme performance, the Valkyrie’s engine delivers its power through sheer mechanical brilliance and high-revving efficiency. The result is a power unit that feels raw, immediate and incredibly responsive, characteristics that become obvious the moment the engine climbs through its rev range.

Perhaps even more memorable, however, is the sound. The Valkyrie’s V12 produces a piercing, unmistakable note that cuts through the background noise of a race circuit in a way that few modern engines can replicate.

A Crowd Favourite at Le Mans

During the Valkyrie’s appearances in endurance racing, the car quickly became a favourite among fans. At events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, spectators frequently commented on the distinctive sound of the Valkyrie long before the car even came into view. As it accelerated down the long straights, the V12’s high-pitched wail echoed around the circuit, drawing cheers from grandstands and trackside spectators alike.

In a modern endurance racing grid increasingly filled with turbocharged engines, the Valkyrie’s naturally aspirated soundtrack has provided something refreshingly different, a reminder of the emotional side of motorsport engineering. Something Aston Martin continues to do extremely well.

The Valkyrie Road Car Programme

Of course, the racing programme represents only one side of the Valkyrie story. The original concept behind the car was to create one of the most extreme road-going hypercars ever produced by Aston Martin Lagonda, developed in collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

The road-car programme was strictly limited, with **150 coupé versions built for customers**, alongside additional **AMR Pro track-only variants** designed specifically for circuit use.

When new, the Valkyrie carried a price tag of around £2.5 million, placing it among the most exclusive Aston Martins ever created.

Valkyrie Values - A Rare Hypercar Market

As with many ultra-limited hypercars, the market value of the Aston Martin Valkyrie is still establishing itself as the first customer cars gradually begin to appear on the secondary market. Early resale activity suggests that values remain broadly close to original list price. When new, the Valkyrie carried a list price of around £2.5 million before taxes and options, placing it among the most expensive road cars ever produced by Aston Martin Lagonda. Early auction results suggest that values are currently settling broadly around that original price point. For example, a near-new Valkyrie sold through RM Sotheby's in London during 2025 for approximately £2.23 million, while other auction examples have traded between roughly £2 million and £2.5 million depending on specification, mileage and timing of sale.

Rather than experiencing the immediate speculative spikes sometimes seen with new hypercars, the Valkyrie appears to be following a steadier path in the collector market. Given the extremely limited production numbers and the significance of the project within Aston Martin’s modern history, it remains widely regarded as one of the most important Aston Martins of the current era and a car likely to remain highly sought after for many years to come.

A Different Side of the Aston Martin Story

For enthusiasts, the Valkyrie represents something rather special, a reminder that Aston Martin is still capable of pushing engineering boundaries and creating machines that capture the imagination of the automotive world.

After the technical frustrations currently facing the brand’s Formula One programme, hearing the Valkyrie’s V12 echoing around a race circuit provides a timely reminder of just how thrilling Aston Martin engineering can be when everything comes together. From a motorsport perspective, there is also a sense that the Valkyrie story is only just beginning. With the programme continuing to develop and gain experience in endurance racing, I’m optimistic that we may see the car grow into an increasingly competitive force during the 2026 season. It will certainly be something we’ll keep a close eye on here at Fuel the Passion as the year unfolds, exciting times ahead.

Blackthorn Racing - Momentum Building

While Aston Martin’s factory racing programmes continue to develop across Formula One and endurance racing, there are also encouraging stories emerging from the wider Aston Martin customer racing community. One team that has been quietly building momentum is Blackthorn Racing.

Image © Fuel the Passion, Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Vantage 75th Anniversary Celebration, British Motor Museum, Summer 2025

Regular readers of the *Fuel the Passion Weekly Roundup* may remember that we previously highlighted the team’s strong performance in the Asian Le Mans Series earlier this year.

In fact, the Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn Aston Martin Vantage GT3 went on to take victory in the GT class during the final round of the championship in Abu Dhabi, a superb result for the programme and further evidence that the team is building real momentum in international endurance racing.

Results like that underline the steady progress the team has been making as it continues to grow its presence within the global GT racing scene. Recent news confirmed that the team has been placed third on the reserve list for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. For any endurance racing programme, Le Mans remains the ultimate target, and even securing a reserve position reflects the credibility the team is beginning to build within international GT racing circles.

For readers unfamiliar with the Le Mans entry process, the reserve list effectively acts as a waiting line should any of the confirmed entries withdraw before the race. While nothing is guaranteed, history shows that reserve teams do occasionally receive late invitations if spaces open up.

“Being placed third on that list means Blackthorn remain firmly in contention should circumstances change in the weeks ahead.”

What makes the story particularly interesting is the ambition behind the programme. Comments from Dario Franchitti have highlighted that the team is building with the long term firmly in mind. The intention is not simply to participate but to establish a serious endurance racing operation built around Aston Martin GT machinery.

To give a flavour of what the team and their cars are capable of, it’s worth taking a moment to watch this short film from their British GT campaign at Spa-Francorchamps. The sight and sound of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 charging through Eau Rouge and around one of the world’s greatest circuits is something special, and the Blackthorn livery looks superb on track. In my opinion, it’s quite simply the best-looking car on the grid.

From a personal perspective, this is also a story I’m especially keen to follow. I first met Claude Bovet, owner, amateur racing driver and founder of Blackthorn Racing, last summer during the AMOC Celebration of Vantage event at the British Motor Museum. Claude is not only the driving force behind the team but also a highly capable racing driver in his own right.

During that event I had the opportunity to film the team’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and spend some time speaking with Claude about the ambitions behind the Blackthorn project. I also had the pleasure of meeting Team Principal and Director Dan Jeal, whose experience and leadership play a key role in guiding the team’s growing motorsport programme. To view that video click HERE.

Image © Fuel the Passion, Claude Bovet explaining the Blackthorn Vantage GT3 during the Vantage 75th Anniversary at the British Motor Museum, Summer 2025

Since then we’ve remained in contact, and discussions are ongoing about covering the Blackthorn Racing story in more detail here on *Fuel the Passion*.
The team are doing some very exciting things within endurance racing, so hopefully in the months ahead we’ll be able to bring you more insight into their progress.

For now, being third on the Le Mans reserve list is already a significant step and another reminder that Aston Martin’s presence in global GT racing continues to be supported not only by the factory, but by passionate teams determined to carry the marque’s racing heritage forward.

Stock Watch - Aston Martin Shares Continue Turbulent Run

While Aston Martin continues to generate excitement on track, from the growing momentum of Blackthorn Racing to the endurance racing efforts of the The Heart of Racing Team running the Aston Martin Valkyrie programme, the picture in the financial markets remains more challenging.

At the close of trading on Friday 13 March 2026, shares in Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc finished the day at 39.62p on the London Stock Exchange. That represented a daily fall of 4.94%, with the share price dropping 2.06p during Friday’s trading session.

“The stock now sits very close to its *52-week low of 38.00p**, which was briefly reached earlier this month.”*

Market Snapshot;

Closing Price (13 March 2026): 39.62p
Daily Change: –4.94%
Market Capitalisation: approximately £401 million
52-Week Range: 38.00p – 89.00p

Regular readers will recall that Aston Martin’s share price has been under increased pressure since the publication of the company’s FY2025 financial results in late February, which revealed weaker revenues, widening losses and a reset of long-term production expectations. Since early February, the stock has fallen from around 60p to below 40p, illustrating the scale of the recent market correction.

While the recent share price movement reflects a challenging period for Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc, the months ahead will be important as these new models reach more customers and the company continues to refine its long-term strategy.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

The **new generation of Aston Martin models**, including the **DBX,** **DB12, the updated Vantage,** the ‘S’ variants and the Valhalla, are expected to play a key role in the company’s next phase.
Personally, I remain hopeful that the situation will improve over time.

Aston Martin has faced difficult moments before, yet the strength of the brand, its engineering talent and its passionate global following have repeatedly helped it find a way forward. For many Aston Martin enthusiasts and observers, there remains a sense that the ingredients for a stronger future are still very much in place and it will be fascinating to see how the story unfolds over the remainder of 2026.

Oil Price Watch - Rising Crude and What It Means at the Pump

While the automotive world often focuses on the cars themselves, events far beyond the motoring world can have a very real impact on drivers. Over the past couple of weeks, global oil markets have been reacting sharply to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The international benchmark Brent crude oil price has recently climbed above $100 per barrel, reaching levels not seen for some time as traders respond to uncertainty in global energy supplies. When oil prices rise, the effect inevitably works its way through to the petrol forecourts. In the UK, average petrol prices are currently sitting at roughly 140p per litre, with diesel around 158p per litre, though these figures can vary slightly depending on region and retailer.

Fuel price movements typically take a week or two to filter through the supply chain, so any sustained rise in crude oil prices could translate into higher prices at the pump as we move through the coming weeks. Of course, fuel costs ultimately influence far more than just the price of filling a car. Rising oil prices increase the cost of transporting goods, which in turn can affect the price of food, supplies and many everyday items. In that sense, higher energy prices can place additional pressure on inflation across the wider economy.

Naturally, our thoughts are with those directly affected by the conflicts currently unfolding. While the economic impact is something motorists will notice over time, the human consequences are always far more significant. Here at Fuel the Passion, we’ll continue to keep an eye on developments in the oil markets and how they translate to petrol prices in the weeks ahead…

“…as this is something that ultimately affects every driver, whether commuting daily or heading out for a weekend drive in an Aston Martin.”

Rare Lagonda Taraf Sells at Amelia Auction

One of the more unusual Aston Martin stories to emerge recently comes from the Amelia Auction in Florida, held during the Amelia Concours d’Elegance weekend from 6–8 March 2026, where an extremely rare 2017 Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf crossed the block. For many enthusiasts, the Taraf remains one of the most obscure modern Aston Martin creations. Built under the revived Lagonda luxury marque, the Taraf was conceived as an ultra-exclusive luxury saloon aimed primarily at wealthy buyers in the Middle East.

“In total, *just 120 examples were produced**, making it one of the rarest Aston Martin road cars of the modern era.”*

When new, the Taraf carried an extraordinary price tag, widely reported at around $1 million, positioning it among the most expensive luxury saloons ever offered at the time. Yet when this particular example appeared at auction during the 2026 Amelia sale, it ultimately sold for $430,000, a striking reminder of how niche and misunderstood some of Aston Martin’s most ambitious projects can be.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Technically, the Taraf was a fascinating machine. The car was built on Aston Martin’s versatile **VH architecture**, sharing its underlying platform with several Aston Martin sports cars of the era.

Power came from a naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12, producing around 540 horsepower, delivering the kind of performance rarely associated with chauffeur-driven luxury limousines. In terms of design, the Taraf drew inspiration from the dramatic William Towns-designed Lagonda saloon of 1976, one of the boldest and most distinctive Aston Martins ever produced. The modern interpretation combined that heritage with contemporary materials and engineering, including extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Production was equally special. Each Taraf was **hand-built at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility in Warwickshire**, assembled in a dedicated area of the factory previously used for the creation of the legendary **One-77 hypercar**.

The result was a car intended to blend limousine luxury with the craftsmanship normally reserved for Aston Martin’s most exclusive models.

Although the car sold at auction was a specific example, the images shown here are official Aston Martin photographs of the Lagonda Taraf, included simply to illustrate this remarkably rare model, a car that even many seasoned Aston Martin enthusiasts may never have seen in person. Love it or not, the Taraf remains a fascinating chapter in Aston Martin’s modern history, an ultra-luxury experiment that demonstrated just how far the marque was willing to push the boundaries of exclusivity.

Car of the Week - Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition

After a week that has taken us from Formula One challenges to endurance racing ambitions and movements in the financial markets, it feels only right to finish with something that celebrates the very best of Aston Martin design and engineering.

Before we dive into this week’s selection, a quick word about the Fuel the Passion Car of the Week. This is simply a chance to have a bit of fun and highlight interesting, beautifully specified or particularly rare Aston Martins that are currently offered for sale across the UK. There are always some fascinating cars quietly appearing on the market, and this section is a way of celebrating them, and who knows, if one of you reading this ends up buying an Aston Martin that has appeared here as a Car of the Week, please do let me know. That would be a lovely outcome.

At its heart, Fuel the Passion is about celebrating the brand, the cars and the community that surrounds them… and occasionally spotting something special that deserves a moment in the spotlight.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda (Nottingham) Used for editorial purposes.

This week’s **Fuel the Passion Car of the Week** is something rather special, the remarkable Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition.
This particular example also feels especially fitting at the moment, as **2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Aston Martin Vanquish**.

It’s a milestone that I’m looking forward to exploring further here on Fuel the Passion, with some special videos coming soon, celebrating one of Aston Martin’s most iconic modern grand tourers. If you haven’t already why not subscribe to the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, so you don’t miss this and future content.

Created in collaboration with the Royal Air Force’s world-famous Royal Air Force Red Arrows, this extraordinary version of the Vanquish S was produced in extremely limited numbers, with just ten cars built. The project celebrated the close relationship between Aston Martin and the Red Arrows…

“…two iconic British institutions recognised around the world for precision, performance and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda (Nottingham) Used for editorial purposes.

Each car was finished in a striking **Eclat Red** paint scheme, echoing the unmistakable colour of the Red Arrows aircraft, and featured a number of bespoke design details inspired by the team’s aviation heritage.

These included white and blue pinstriping reminiscent of the smoke trails produced by the jets, Red Arrows branding throughout the cabin, and a unique interior specification reflecting the colours associated with the display team.

Under the bonnet sits Aston Martin’s magnificent 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12, producing around 595 horsepower, paired with the company’s eight-speed Touchtronic transmission. In Vanquish S form, this remains one of the most charismatic grand touring powertrains Aston Martin has ever produced, combining effortless performance with a soundtrack worthy of the aircraft that inspired this special edition.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda (Nottingham) Used for editorial purposes.

I was fortunate enough to see one of these cars up close during the **AMOC 90th Anniversary Celebrations International** **Concours in Austria in 2025**, and it really is a spectacular machine in person.

The colour, detailing and presence of the car make it stand out immediately, a wonderful tribute to both Aston Martin craftsmanship and British aviation heritage. Perhaps most fittingly, car number 10 of the production run was presented to the RAF Benevolent Fund, reinforcing the project’s strong connection with the wider RAF community.

One of these rare cars has recently appeared for sale through Aston Martin Nottingham. The car is a 2017 example showing just 1,606 miles, and is currently advertised at £349,000. For anyone curious to see more details, you can view the listing HERE.

Cars like this rarely surface for sale, and with only ten examples ever built, the Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition represents a fascinating intersection of Aston Martin craftsmanship and British aviation heritage and a very fitting choice for this week’s Fuel the Passion Car of the Week.

Image © Fuel the Passion, the Red Arrows, RAF Syerston, 2025

Final Thoughts

So another week in the world of Aston Martin comes to a close, in a week that, in many ways, perfectly illustrates the many different strands that make this marque so fascinating to follow. As I finish writing this week’s roundup, the Chinese Grand Prix weekend is already well underway at the Shanghai International Circuit. Following a quick turnaround from last weekend’s season opener in Australia, the paddock has now moved across the world for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula One season.

We’ve already had an early indication of where things currently stand for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. The results underlines the challenges the team is currently facing as it works to better understand the car and extract more performance from the package over the coming races.

Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.

At the same time, wider developments in the Formula One calendar may soon become one of the sport’s biggest talking points.
Reports emerging late on Friday suggest that the **Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for next month may be cancelled** due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

At the time of writing, official confirmation is still awaited from Formula One and the FIA, but safety considerations for personnel and logistics understandably remain the priority. If confirmed, the move would likely reduce the 2026 calendar to 22 races, creating an unexpected gap in the schedule between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix.

Meanwhile, there was also action for the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme, with Mathilda Paatz qualifying P16 in F1 Academy, despite a mechanical issue limiting her flying laps during the session.

On track, as we’ve seen, there are clearly still challenges to overcome in Formula One as the team works through the early stages of the season.

“Yet elsewhere in the Aston Martin motorsport world there are reasons for optimism…”

…from the growing story of the Valkyrie endurance programme to the impressive momentum building around Blackthorn Racing. Motorsport, as always, is a long game and Aston Martin’s story in racing has rarely been a straight line.

Away from the circuits, the wider business picture remains more complicated. The company’s share price has been under pressure in recent weeks, and global factors such as rising oil prices remind us how interconnected the automotive world is with events far beyond the industry itself.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Yet through all of that, one thing remains constant, the enduring passion that surrounds Aston Martin. Whether it’s discovering rare cars like the recent auction sale of the **Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf…**

…or finding the rare Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition for sale at an Aston Martin Dealer here in the UK, hearing the unmistakable sound of the Valkyrie’s V12 at full song, or simply enjoying a weekend drive in an Aston Martin, the spirit of the brand continues to resonate with enthusiasts around the world.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share your views in the comments section below this article. 👇
I read every comment and always enjoy hearing the perspectives of fellow Aston Martin enthusiasts.

Here are a couple of questions for your thoughts…

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

***The Valkyrie is one of the most extreme cars Aston Martin has ever created. Do you see it as the greatest modern Aston Martin, or is there another model you believe deserves that title?***

What was the Aston Martin that first made you fall in love with the brand?

Had you ever heard of he Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf, prior to reading about the car in this weeks roundup? What do you think of it?

Until next week, thank you as always for reading Fuel the Passion.

Fuel the Passion (FTP) Weekly Roundup