Week Ending 8th November 2026
FTP READING GUIDE · ISSUE 49
Settle in for this one.
From Blackthorn’s winter campaign and today’s racing to Valhalla, Bond and Marek Reichman’s design reflections, there’s plenty to explore this week. Take your time — the kettle might come in handy.
ESTIMATED READ
45 to 50 minutes
At a comfortable reading pace
EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION — DAN, FUEL THE PASSION
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 - Asian Le Mans Livery 2026-27.
Welcome to Issue 49 of the Fuel the Passion Weekly Roundup. There’s a busy Sunday ahead for Aston Martin supporters, with the World Endurance Championship finale at Monza followed by Formula 1 at Interlagos.
After the frustration of Mexico, the immediate hope is to see Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll complete a competitive afternoon in Brazil. At Monza, we’re looking for Aston Martin to finish the season strongly in both classes. A first WEC podium for Valkyrie would be a particularly satisfying way to sign off, while the Vantage crews have already shown what they can achieve.
The winter programme is taking shape, too. Four Vantages from three teams will contest the Asian Le Mans Series, where a championship-winning campaign could open the door to Le Mans. The striking Écurie Écosse Blackthorn car pictured above gives us plenty to explore, from its Scottish racing heritage to its returning driver line-up. There’s a proud dad moment for me as well: my son James designed the graphics for Blackthorn’s announcement.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Vantage Launch.
Design provides another connection through Marek Reichman’s latest Aston Martin Heritage Trust interview. Coming shortly after our publication of The Bloodline, his reflections on Vantage offer a fascinating companion to the questions we explored about identity, change and the expectations attached to a familiar name.
Doug DeMuro’s Valhalla review brings that discussion into the current range, with enthusiastic driving impressions and some reservations worth considering. We also look ahead to Casino Royale’s twentieth anniversary, revisit its Aston Martins and spectacular stunt, and share some enjoyable viewing and club reading.
Next Sunday brings Issue 50, a milestone I’m very much looking forward to. Thank you for spending some of your Sunday or other time you chose to read this issue, with FTP. Settle in, enjoy this week’s stories, and I hope the racing gives us something to celebrate. Let’s dig in!
FORMULA 1 | MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
FIVE LAPS EACH AS COOLING PROBLEMS END ASTON MARTIN’S RACE
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Mexican Grand Prix 2026.
In Issue 48, we reflected on an Austin weekend that brought Aston Martin two finishes outside the points. Last Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix was a more dispiriting setback: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll each completed just five laps before technical problems ended their races.
Starting 17th and 19th respectively, both drivers faced a difficult afternoon in traffic. The team reported abnormal pressure levels within the power-unit systems, and both cars visited the pits at the end of lap three. There was little opportunity to discover what either driver might have achieved over a full race distance.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Mexican Grand Prix 2026.
Alonso subsequently returned to the garage to retire, reporting a recurrence of the problem with the hybrid motor-generator that had interrupted his qualifying session. Stroll was instructed to stop on track during lap six to avoid damaging the battery. His retirement was therefore a protective measure; it shouldn’t be taken as confirmation that the battery itself had failed.
Honda’s explanation centres on cooling. Shintaro Orihara, its Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, said the cooling circuit for the energy recovery system was under greater stress than anticipated. This is the hybrid equipment that recovers energy and supplies electrical power alongside the petrol engine. Honda had expected Mexico’s altitude to create additional demands, but the difficulty proved greater than its preparations had allowed for.
At around 2,250 metres above sea level, the circuit presents an unusually demanding environment. The thinner air makes it harder for the cooling systems to remove heat, while following other cars can compound the problem. That helps explain why starting near the back was particularly awkward. Honda’s account nevertheless identifies a cooling limitation that it needs to address, rather than simply an unavoidable consequence of racing in Mexico.
There had been some encouragement earlier in the weekend. Adrian Newey highlighted Alonso’s pace, making the lost opportunity particularly frustrating. Practice performance can offer clues, but five completed race laps leave little basis for judging how competitive the car might have been over a sustained stint.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Mexican Grand Prix 2026.
Orihara has emphasised the importance of carrying these lessons into 2027, including what Honda learned about turbo lag, the delay between the driver asking for power and the engine responding. For the remaining races, the immediate task is to turn that understanding into dependable running. Completing races would give the drivers a chance to compete and the engineers more useful evidence with which to improve the car.
Alonso also offered a glimpse of the work under way for 2027. In comments reported by Formula1.com, he said a completely new engine was already being tested on a dynamometer, a test bench used to run and assess an engine away from the car. He expressed confidence in that project and in the direction of the chassis development. Those comments provide some longer-term encouragement, although the effectiveness of the changes will have to be demonstrated through reliable running and competitive performance on track.
You can read the full Mexico report and race classifications in the Formula 1 section of the FTP Motorsport Hub.
FORMULA 1 | SÃO PAULO GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
HONDA TAKES MEXICO’S LESSONS TO INTERLAGOS
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Used for editorial purposes.
There’s more racing to follow later today as Formula 1 heads to Interlagos for the São Paulo Grand Prix, starting at 5pm UK time. The 71-lap race completes the Americas triple-header, giving Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll an immediate opportunity to respond to last Sunday’s double retirement in Mexico.
The first priority is dependable running. Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, Shintaro Orihara, has explained that Interlagos still presents an altitude-related challenge for the power unit, although it’s considerably less severe than Mexico City. The lessons from the overstressed energy-recovery cooling circuit therefore remain relevant as the team prepares for another demanding race.
Honda is also taking forward what it learned about turbo lag and driveability: how promptly and predictably the engine responds when the driver asks for power. At a circuit combining slower corners with a long, uphill acceleration towards the start-finish line, giving the drivers confidence in that response is an important part of the task.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Used for editorial purposes. Shintaro Orihara
Orihara has highlighted preparations for possible heavy rain, too. In slippery conditions, the team must adapt how electrical energy is recovered and used to suit the available grip, while managing the engine’s response. Smooth power delivery becomes particularly valuable when the drivers are trying to accelerate without overwhelming the rear tyres.
For Aston Martin supporters, the hope is straightforward: give both drivers a car they can race for the full distance. Interlagos has produced plenty of opportunities over the years, but taking advantage of them will require reliable machinery, sound decisions and consistent execution. After Mexico, a competitive afternoon with both cars reaching the finish would be welcome progress.
You can follow Aston Martin’s campaign, race reports and classifications in the Formula 1 section of the FTP Motorsport Hub.
JENSON BUTTON | MEMORIES OF INTERLAGOS
A WORLD TITLE, A FATHER’S ADVICE AND A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso. Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
With Formula 1 returning to Interlagos this weekend, Jenson Button’s latest journal on the Aston Martin Aramco website makes a timely read. Published on 3rd November, it revisits the circuit where he secured the 2009 World Championship, with some candid reflections on the pressure that accompanied it.
Jenson recalls qualifying 14th, feeling the weight of expectation and receiving some much-needed encouragement from his father, John. His account of recovering his confidence, then experiencing the relief of achieving a childhood ambition, gives the piece a warmth that goes well beyond a retelling of the race.
There’s also a reflection on his first season as an Aston Martin Team Ambassador. He acknowledges the difficult results while describing the sense of belonging and determination he’s found within the team. Alongside our São Paulo preview, it’s an enjoyable opportunity to hear from someone who knows both the pressure and the joy that Interlagos can bring.
Read Jenson’s Journal in full on the Aston Martin Aramco website →
There’s plenty of Aston Martin racing to follow beyond today’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and WEC finale. Four Vantages, representing three teams, are preparing for the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series, with the opening races at Paul Ricard next weekend. An added incentive is the opportunity to earn an invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.
ASIAN LE MANS SERIES | ASTON MARTIN’S WINTER CAMPAIGN
FOUR VANTAGES, THREE TEAMS AND A ROUTE TO LE MANS
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Asian Le Mans 2025 - the #56 Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 on track at Abu Dhabi.
Aston Martin enthusiasts will have plenty of endurance racing to follow after this weekend’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) finale. Four Vantages, representing three teams, are preparing for the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series, with the opening races at Paul Ricard next weekend. Beyond the championship itself lies a particularly valuable prize: an invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Car Blanche Vantage GT3.
In Issue 48, we outlined the winter calendar and identified Aston Martin’s four entries. The organiser’s provisional opening-round list comprises 46 cars, including 28 in GT3, the category for race-prepared, production-based sports cars. Écurie Écosse Blackthorn, Heart of Racing and Car Blanche by RSL will all compete with the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo.
Despite its name, this season’s championship will take place entirely in Europe under the Winter Le Mans Series banner. The organiser made that decision because of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting logistical uncertainty, alongside limited winter availability at suitable Asian circuits. Six four-hour races across France, Spain and Portugal will provide a substantial programme extending into February.
Asian Le Mans Series · 2026/27
Aston Martin’s Winter Grid
Three teams. Four Vantages. Twelve drivers.
VANTAGE ENTRIES
| Car | Team | Announced driver line-up |
|---|---|---|
| #70 | Écurie Écosse Blackthorn |
|
| #26 | Heart of Racing |
|
| #27 | Heart of Racing |
|
| #68 | Car Blanche by RSL |
|
For Écurie Écosse Blackthorn, the campaign follows the emotions of Barcelona, where Charles Bateman secured the International GT Open Pro-Am drivers’ title. We shared that story in Issue 48, including the contribution of his co-drivers and the people working around them. The winter programme brings another proven combination together, in colours carrying an extraordinary endurance racing history.
Image © Jaguar. Used for editorial purposes.
Écurie Écosse was founded in Edinburgh in 1951 by businessman and racing driver David Murray, making 2026 its 75th anniversary year. The small Scottish operation developed an international reputation, with its distinctive blue cars becoming particularly closely associated with Jaguar. Goodwood’s historical account records the original colour as Flag Metallic Blue and credits early team driver Ian Stewart with choosing it and subsequently designing the Saltire crest.
Its defining achievements came at Le Mans. In 1956, Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson won the 24 Hours outright in an Écurie Écosse-entered Jaguar D-Type. Seventy years later, that remains one of Scottish motorsport’s outstanding successes. There’s an interesting Aston Martin connection within the result too: Stirling Moss and Peter Collins finished second in a DB3S. The marques now brought together through Blackthorn were competing against one another at the front of that race.
Image © Jaguar. Used for editorial purposes.
The following year brought an even more remarkable team result. Flockhart returned to win in 1957, this time sharing a D-Type with Ivor Bueb, while Sanderson and John Lawrence finished second in the sister Écurie Écosse Jaguar. It was a one-two finish overall, confirming that the previous year’s victory had been followed by another exceptional performance. Those second-winning celebrations took place 69 years ago; their 70th anniversary arrives in 2027, the year this winter championship concludes.
That history gives the modern partnership considerable significance. Blackthorn has openly identified the ambition of returning the Écurie Écosse name to Le Mans, with the Asian Le Mans championship forming part of that pursuit. The current programme connects an established Scottish racing identity with the preparation, people and machinery of a contemporary Aston Martin team.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. The 2026-2027 Écurie Écosse, Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 #70.
The #70 Vantage gives that relationship a striking visual expression. The colours will be familiar to those who followed Blackthorn during 2026, when the team raced with a similar Écurie Écosse scheme. This refreshed treatment builds on its predecessor’s already handsome appearance and, for me, looks superb. Rich blue bodywork is contrasted with a white nose treatment and mirrors, while fine dark lines sweep along the sides and across the rear haunches. The Saltire crest sits ahead of the large white door roundel, which carries white 70 numerals on a green panel. Dark lower bodywork and the broad rear wing complete a thoroughly modern racing shape.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. The 2026-2027 Écurie Écosse, Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 #70.
For me, the appeal is how comfortably those elements work together. The blue, white detailing and Scottish crest provide a recognisable historical connection, while the flowing graphics follow the Vantage’s muscular surfaces. It’s a car that rewards a closer look, particularly in the team’s latest photographs.
Those flowing lines have a notable designer behind them, as Claude explained when we spoke at the Aston Martin Owners Club Festival in 2025. Blackthorn commissioned Frank Stephenson to create a bespoke Vantage GT3 livery in 2023, with a brief combining Aston Martin’s elegance with the coolness of James Bond.
Stephenson’s design career includes work on cars such as the McLaren P1 and Maserati MC12, bringing considerable experience of shaping distinctive performance cars to the project. Looking at the linework against the Écurie Écosse blue, I think it gives the Vantage a wonderful sense of movement even when it’s standing still, while allowing its underlying shape to remain the centre of attention.
For me, this Vantage looks superb—the Écurie Écosse blue and those flowing lines work beautifully together. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below: what’s your verdict on the livery?
The drivers have their own shared history to draw upon. Giacomo Petrobelli, Kobe Pauwels and Jonny Adam are the trio who won the GT class at the previous Asian Le Mans season’s Abu Dhabi finale on 8th February.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes.
In Issue 11, published on 15th February, we reported how Blackthorn’s #56 recovered from an opening-lap puncture to take that victory. They return in the #70 having already demonstrated what they can achieve together over four hours.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Jonny Adam
Jonny Adam brings extensive Aston Martin experience and a formidable endurance racing record to Blackthorn’s line-up. The Scot is a four-time British GT champion, winning in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, each with a different co-driver. His achievements also include Le Mans class victories with the works Aston Martin team in 2017 and TF Sport in 2020.
Alongside his pace, Adam’s ability to support and develop less experienced teammates has earned particular praise from Heart of Racing Team Principal Ian James. For Blackthorn, that combination of race-winning experience, familiarity with the Vantage and an established partnership with Petrobelli provides a valuable foundation for the winter campaign.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Giacomo Petrobelli
Petrobelli’s relationship with Adam extends beyond that winter campaign. They raced together for Blackthorn in British GT during 2024 and 2025, securing the team’s breakthrough championship victory at Spa in June 2025. Petrobelli’s commanding opening stint was central to that result, showing the pace and consistency he brings to the partnership.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Kobe Pauwels & Claude Bovet
Pauwels arrives with momentum of his own. The Belgian won the 2025 Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy award, following a season in which he and Jamie Day secured the Silver Cup class title in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup with Comtoyou Racing. Adam adds the experience of an Aston Martin works driver, four British GT titles and Le Mans class victories in 2017 and 2020.
Together, they provide Blackthorn with established working relationships, developing talent and considerable endurance experience.
Image © Blackthorn Racing & Fuel the Passion. Used for editorial purposes. Dan Jeal
Overseeing those preparations is Dan Jeal, Blackthorn Racing’s Team Principal, Director and a founding member of the team. Dan brings more than 25 years of motorsport experience, with a background spanning Formula One, the World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, A1 Grand Prix and Formula 3.
His specialisms in team management and race engineering bring together the organisational and technical demands of running a racing programme, giving him a broad perspective on the preparation, communication and attention to detail needed for Blackthorn’s winter campaign.
Blackthorn Racing introduced its 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series campaign through an Instagram announcement featuring the Vantage, driver line-up and race calendar. There’s a personal connection with that post: the announcement graphics were designed by my son, James, who graduated with a first-class degree in Graphic Design earlier this year.
Seeing his work, created without AI, being used to present Blackthorn’s next racing chapter is a lovely moment. You can explore the full post through the link above, and I’ll happily admit to being a proud dad.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. THOR Aston Martin Vantage out on track.
Heart of Racing brings two Vantages to its first Asian Le Mans campaign, drawing on relationships developed through its existing racing programmes. The #27 retains the Ian James, Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi combination familiar from WEC, while Roman De Angelis joins Gray Newell and Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello in the #26. James has emphasised the familiarity within those crews as they prepare for a new championship and some unfamiliar circuits.
There’s an intriguing connection with Blackthorn’s line-up. Adam shares Heart of Racing’s #23 WEC Vantage with Newell and Barrichello; in Asian Le Mans, he’ll be competing against them. The winter programme gives those drivers and crews further opportunities to race, refine their processes and develop their working relationships.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Car Blanche Aston Martin out on track.
Car Blanche by RSL completes Aston Martin’s representation. The American Car Blanche operation has partnered with Racing Spirit of Léman, which will provide operational and technical support for its European campaign. Arnold Robin, Jonny Edgar and Valentin Hasse Clot will share the #68, following Car Blanche’s Petit Le Mans class victory at the conclusion of its first North American season.
Four-hour races give these crews time to recover from setbacks, but they also demand sustained concentration. With faster prototype machinery sharing the circuit, traffic management, pit stops and consistent performances across the driver line-ups will be central to the challenge.
Asian Le Mans Series · 2026/27
The Winter Racing Calendar
Three weekends. Six four-hour races.
THREE EVENT WEEKENDS
| Rounds | Event weekend & race dates | Circuit & location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | 13–15 November 2026 Races: 14 & 15 November | Circuit Paul Ricard Le Castellet · France |
| 3 & 4 | 15–17 January 2027 Races: 16 & 17 January | Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto Spain |
| 5 & 6 | 19–21 February 2027 Races: 20 & 21 February | Autódromo Internacional do Algarve Portimão · Portugal |
Each meeting features one four-hour race on Saturday and another on Sunday. The opening race therefore arrives just six days after this Issue is published, with the championship continuing through the winter before its Portuguese conclusion.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Road to Le Mans 2026.
The Le Mans opportunity gives that title contest an added significance. The GT3 championship-winning entrant earns an automatic invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMGT3, the race’s category for production-based grand touring cars.
The invitation remains subject to the organiser’s participation and entry requirements, including contesting every event, and the Le Mans Selection Committee’s approval. It rewards the complete championship campaign; a single race victory doesn’t secure the place.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Asian Le Mans 2025 - the #56 Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 on track at Abu Dhabi.
For Blackthorn, that offers a direct sporting route towards the ambition it has outlined with Écurie Écosse. Heart of Racing has also made its intentions clear: James told Sportscar365 that, if the team won the championship, it would add another GT car at Le Mans. That remains a conditional plan dependent on securing the invitation and meeting the entry requirements.
There’s plenty for Aston Martin supporters to follow: Blackthorn’s returning race-winning trio, Heart of Racing’s championship debut and Car Blanche’s expansion into Europe. For Écurie Écosse Blackthorn, the campaign also connects two important chapters in endurance racing. Seventy years after that first Jaguar victory, an Aston Martin carrying the Scottish colours will begin a championship that could help take the name back to Le Mans.
There’s more Aston Martin interest on the Paul Ricard programme, with two Vantages entered in the inaugural Asian Le Mans Cup meeting on 14th–15th November. Racing Spirit of Léman will field the #10 for Sebastian Morenco and Esteban Gonzalez Beckmann, while Antonio Sainero and Pablo Buguera share E2P Group’s entry. The provisional Cup grid comprises 17 cars, including five GT3 entries, competing in two two-hour races. This is a separate support championship: the four Aston Martins detailed above contest the four-hour Asian Le Mans Series races. It gives supporters another pair of Vantages to follow across an already busy weekend. You can find the organiser’s full Cup announcement here.
Follow the team stories, race reports and results in the FTP Motorsport Hub, including Blackthorn Racing’s Featured Team section.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Asian Le Mans 2025 - the #56 Blackthorn Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 on track at Abu Dhabi.
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WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP | THE SEASON FINALE
MONZA AWAITS: CAN ASTON MARTIN FINISH WITH A PODIUM?
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. WEC Aston Martins 2026.
Before those Asian Le Mans campaigns begin, there’s one final World Endurance Championship race to enjoy. The 6 Hours of Monza takes place today, the same day this roundup goes live, Sunday 8th November, starting at 10am UK time, with Aston Martin’s two Valkyries and two Heart of Racing Vantages looking to end their campaigns strongly.
There’s been plenty of encouragement to carry into the finale. The #007 Valkyrie has finished fourth at Spa and Circuit of the Americas, and led outright at Fuji, while Heart of Racing celebrated an LMGT3 class victory and double podium in Texas. Barcelona proved more difficult, but those earlier performances give us good reasons to look forward to this final opportunity.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Harry Tincknell.
Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble share the #007 Valkyrie, with Marco Sørensen and Alex Riberas in the sister #009. For the Hypercar programme, the prospect of a first WEC podium remains particularly appealing. The pace demonstrated earlier in the season makes it a credible ambition, although converting that potential into a complete six-hour result remains the challenge.
In LMGT3, the category for production-based GT racing cars, Gray Newell, Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello and Jonny Adam share the #23 Vantage. Ian James, Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi return in the #27, the combination that won at COTA. There’s proven race-winning experience within these crews, and another class podium would be a welcome way to finish.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes.
Monza presents a distinctive test. Its long straights reward aerodynamic efficiency, while the tight chicanes demand dependable braking and strong acceleration. Reducing drag for straight-line speed must be balanced against keeping the car stable through the corners. Over six hours, managing traffic and executing clean pit stops will also give the crews plenty to think about.
For me, the attraction is seeing whether Aston Martin can bring those elements together when it counts. A Valkyrie podium would be a significant milestone, while the Vantages have already demonstrated their ability to compete for class victories.
The race runs from 10am to 4pm GMT, with live coverage available through FIAWEC+. You can follow Aston Martin’s results and our continuing coverage in the WEC section of the FTP Motorsport Hub. With this year’s WEC campaign drawing to a close, there’s already something for British supporters to look forward to next spring.
VALKYRIE | FROM PALL MALL TO SILVERSTONE
ENDURANCE RACING JOINS LONDON’S CELEBRATION OF MOTORING
Image © Fuel the Passion. THOR Aston Martin Valkyrie on show in London 2026.
Aston Martin THOR’s Valkyrie joined Cadillac’s V-Series.R on Pall Mall on Saturday 31st October, bringing contemporary endurance racing to a well-attended St James’s Motoring Spectacle and helping promote the World Endurance Championship’s return to Silverstone.
Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, the free event celebrated 140 years of motoring, with more than 160 vehicles on display. Veteran cars preparing for the following day’s London to Brighton Run shared the street with classics, supercars and Formula One, rally and touring-car machinery. It’s great to see Valkyrie included in such a broad public celebration, giving visitors an opportunity to get close to the car away from a circuit.
As we mentioned in Issue 39, there’s a countdown on the FTP homepage to the World Endurance Championship’s return to Silverstone on 23rd–25th April 2027. My tickets are already booked, and I’m very much looking forward to my first opportunity to watch Valkyrie race, especially on home soil. The countdown also includes a link to Silverstone’s website, where you can book tickets if you’d like to be there too.
FUEL THE PASSION · YOUTUBE
FTP WEEKLY ROUNDUP · ISSUE 49
Time for a cuppa?
You’ve reached the halfway point. Take a breather before Doug’s Valhalla verdict, a Bond anniversary and more stories from across the Aston Martin world.
HALFWAY THROUGH THIS ISSUE
Around 25–30 minutes still to enjoy
VALHALLA | DOUG DEMURO’S FULL VERDICT
EXTRAORDINARY SPEED, SURPRISING COMFORT AND A DEBATE ABOUT VALUE
Doug DeMuro’s new film, published on 3rd November, gives us a detailed look at the Valhalla Coupé, combining his familiar tour of its unusual features with a road drive. We’ll return to Doug later in this Roundup through his podcast discussion of the Valhalla Spider, but this full review deserves some space of its own.
There’s plenty of enthusiasm before Doug turns a wheel. The sculpted carbon-fibre rear bodywork, unusual lighting and roof intake all attract his attention, while smaller touches such as the glass detailing on the key and starter button contribute to the sense of occasion. Inside, he particularly appreciates the configurable instrument display and the ability to place useful information directly in the driver’s line of sight.
The driving impressions give the review its substance. Doug praises the quick, weighty steering, responsive chassis and combination of rapid gear changes with surprising smoothness.
Acceleration produces an unmistakably excited reaction, but he’s also struck by how composed the car feels afterwards. He finds the ride more compliant than his Carrera GT and describes Valhalla as considerably easier to live with than the much more extreme Valkyrie he previously drove.
Regular readers will recognise a theme here. In Issue 18, we covered Chris Harris’s change of heart after driving Valhalla, particularly his praise for its calibration and breadth of ability on road and track. Then, in Issue 38, ThatDudeinBlue was struck by how approachable, smooth and comfortable it felt. Doug’s account adds another favourable driving assessment to that picture, with comfort and confidence featuring alongside the extraordinary speed.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Valhalla drivers view.
There are reservations. Doug finds the Mercedes-Benz switchgear incongruous in such a distinctive interior, thinks the camera-based rear-view mirror looks bulky and would prefer separate climate controls to screen-based adjustments. The cabin debate also has a history: our Issue 18 coverage recorded reservations about the screens, although Doug’s objections are more specifically about controls and component choices.
His praise for the configurable driver display shows that he’s selective in that criticism. He also explicitly leaves long-term reliability and serviceability unresolved; an enthusiastic road test can only tell us so much about the ownership experience.
His final DougScore is 72 out of 100, a result within his own scoring system. He also regards the car’s roughly million-dollar positioning as comparatively attractive against more expensive exotic machinery. That’s a judgement within a very expensive market, and should be read in the US-price context of his review.
The comments require a little perspective. Viewers welcome his return to filming outdoors, react to his excitement under acceleration and joke about a missing letter on the dealership’s sign. Those reactions tell us about the film’s reception more readily than they establish a verdict on Valhalla. Among the car-focused contributions, price attracts humour and criticism. One viewer compares its power and cost with a Corvette ZR1, another challenges the value attached to exclusivity, while an enthusiastic commenter would put it on a lottery-win shopping list.
For me, the useful takeaway is Doug’s account of the balance between performance and usability. It reinforces the strengths identified in our earlier review coverage, while longer-term ownership experience will tell us more about life beyond the first drive. Later in this Roundup’s YouTube selection, we’ll return to Doug’s podcast discussion of the Valhalla Spider. That offers a companion conversation about the open-top model; the driving impressions discussed there came from the Coupé.
Our next clip takes us back to the big screen and an Aston Martin sequence that still makes difficult viewing for anyone fond of the DBS.
CASINO ROYALE AT 20 | AN ASTON MARTIN ANNIVERSARY
THE DBS, THE DB5 AND A STUNT THAT MADE HISTORY
The official 007 clip above provides a dramatic way to mark one of this month’s anniversaries. Saturday 14th November marks 20 years since Casino Royale’s world premiere at London’s Odeon Leicester Square, a milestone highlighted in the FTP Anniversary Calendar. For Aston Martin enthusiasts, watching that beautiful DBS being destroyed still makes quite an impression.
Directed by Martin Campbell, the film introduced Daniel Craig as James Bond and gave Aston Martin a prominent place in his first mission as 007. Two very different cars helped tell that story, bringing together an established screen favourite and a new model that audiences encountered before customers could buy it.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Daniel Craig and King Charles, James Bond Day.
The DB5 appears during the Bahamas sequences, when Bond wins it from Alex Dimitrios in a poker game at the Ocean Club. He subsequently takes Solange for a drive. It’s a playful introduction to Aston Martin ownership within Craig’s Bond story, with the car changing hands through a contest of nerve and judgement.
The DBS brings a more muscular presence to the later stages of the film. Its screen appearance preceded customer production, which began in 2007. The production model combined a 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, establishing the DBS as Aston Martin’s flagship.
Within the story, the DBS carries the emergency medical equipment used after Bond is poisoned during the casino tournament. It then becomes central to his pursuit following Vesper Lynd’s kidnapping. Finding her lying in the road, Bond swerves to avoid her, setting up the spectacular crash shown in the clip above.
Although the story places the action in Montenegro, the rollover was filmed at Millbrook Proving Ground in England, with stunt driver Adam Kirley behind the wheel. Achieving it proved considerably harder than the finished sequence suggests. In a first-hand interview with Magneto, special-effects supervisor Chris Corbould recalled that repeated attempts failed to overturn the car. The solution involved fitting a nitrogen-powered cannon to the specially prepared stunt vehicle, helping initiate the roll.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. The wrecked Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale.
Kirley’s recollection, shared by the official 007 channel, conveys something of the experience inside. As the car continued turning, he said, “it was just a case of holding on for the ride.” Seven rolls made the sequence a Guinness World Record achievement. There’s a correction to make to our Issue 5 “Bond at Christmas” coverage, where we incorrectly described that record as still standing. Guinness confirmed in 2024 that Logan Holladay’s 8.5 cannon rolls for The Fall Guy had surpassed Kirley’s seven.
The Casino Royale stunt remains a remarkable achievement, with its place in Bond history firmly established.
The sample of public comments we reviewed beneath the official clip spans several years. There’s plenty of affection for the film. Several viewers describe Casino Royale as their favourite Bond outing, while others admire the stunt team’s work or wince at the destruction of the DBS. There are plenty of jokes about Q and damaged equipment, too, capturing the mixture of spectacle and heartbreak that comes with watching Bond wreck an Aston Martin.
There’s a more critical strand as well. One commenter would have preferred a longer, more traditional car chase, while others question the visible test-track setting or discuss how the shots were assembled. Those reactions add another perspective to a sequence that continues to attract attention long after its release.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
For me, this anniversary is a chance to appreciate the people behind those few seconds of action, alongside the cars themselves. The DB5 supplied familiar Aston Martin elegance, while the DBS made a striking entrance into the marque’s screen history. Twenty years later, both remain closely associated with Craig’s debut.
If the film has you looking at the DBS with fresh interest, our FTP DBS Buyers’ Guide explores the production car and what prospective owners should consider.
Aston Martin’s collaborations extend beyond the cinema, with a new development in its Glenfiddich partnership announced this week. Unveiled on 4th November, Glenfiddich 28 Years Old is a limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky with packaging developed alongside Aston Martin’s design team. It goes on sale in January 2027.
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ASTON MARTIN × GLENFIDDICH
TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS IN THE MAKING
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Aston Martin and Glenfiddich have announced a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky, bringing together decades of maturation and packaging developed with Aston Martin’s design team. Unveiled on 4th November, Glenfiddich 28 Years Old will go on sale in January 2027.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
The wider partnership was announced at Monterey Car Week on 14th August 2025, extending Glenfiddich’s existing relationship with the Aston Martin Formula One team into the road-car brand. To celebrate, Glenfiddich unveiled a 1976 vintage aged for 48 years, finished in a specially coopered European oak sherry cask and limited to just 50 bottles worldwide. The vintage was chosen to reflect the 1970s as a formative period for both brands.
We subsequently explored the Formula One connection and Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s work in Issue 05. The new 28-year-old release now adds another expression to the wider Aston Martin collaboration.
Kinsman has brought together whisky matured in American and European oak, including virgin American oak, Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks and traditional ex-bourbon casks. Glenfiddich describes the result as combining spice and vanilla sweetness with richer sherry influences and its familiar orchard-fruit character.
For Aston Martin enthusiasts, the design provides another point of interest. Podium Green, copper finishes and Glenfiddich’s stag emblem feature on packaging whose flowing forms are intended to suggest movement. There’s a historical connection, too: the announcement places the spirit’s beginnings in the late 1990s, when Project Vantage was pointing towards the original Vanquish and the V12-powered DB7 Vantage was opening another chapter for the marque.
The launch covers the United States and selected airport retailers worldwide from January 2027. Aston Martin’s announcement doesn’t specify a price or production total for this new release.
You can read the full announcement on the Aston Martin Media website.
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THIS WEEK ON YOUTUBE
SIX FILMS, SIX PERSPECTIVES ON ASTON MARTIN
From a more extreme Vantage taking shape at the Nürburgring to a DB11 crossing Europe with two lifelong friends, this week’s selection offers several different ways to enjoy Aston Martin. There are enthusiastic road tests, practical product explanations and some useful disagreements along the way.
We don't feature a selection of YouTube videos in every Weekly Roundup, but several caught our attention this week, and we thought they were worth sharing. Each offers something a little different, whether it's an interesting perspective, an entertaining journey or simply a good opportunity to see these remarkable cars being enjoyed.
The audience reactions below come from selected comments beneath each video. They offer a snapshot of those conversations, with much more Aston-specific discussion available for some films than others.
A more focused Vantage — DPCcars
DPCcars examines the camouflaged Vantage’s substantial rear wing, deeper splitter, revised bodywork and centrally grouped exhausts, considering what they might mean for a more circuit-focused model. The proposed Porsche 911 GT3 rivalry is an intriguing possibility, but the film’s expectations about power, weight and positioning remain predictions.
We covered both Coupé and Roadster prototypes in Issue 39, including the uncertainty over the RS name. Our interest remains in how the complete car develops: its chassis, response, weight and aerodynamic performance. The video’s title shouldn’t be mistaken for confirmation of the final badge or specification.
Amongst the comments, reactions are mixed, reflecting differing opinions about what this more extreme Vantage should offer. Some would welcome the return of a V12, while others are less enthusiastic about the prominent rear wing. There's also speculation about possible performance figures and weight reductions, although nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
Vantage or Porsche 911? — TFLnow
TFLnow’s Vantage S Roadster review makes a persuasive case for choosing a car through its character. Nathan’s enthusiasm centres on the styling, V8 response, comfort and sense of occasion. His preference over a 911 Turbo is a personal verdict; the film doesn’t present a matched comparison test.
There are meaningful criticisms, particularly repeated phone-pairing and display problems, alongside reservations about the interface and considerable purchase price. We reported similar Apple CarPlay Ultra connectivity frustrations in Motor1’s Vanquish assessment in Issue 40.
What's interesting is that these aren't necessarily isolated complaints affecting completely different systems. Aston Martin's latest models share the same underlying infotainment technology, and reports of connectivity problems, occasional screen failures and other software glitches have become a recurring theme amongst some owners. The encouraging news is that software updates appear to be resolving at least some of these problems, with owners reporting improvements following visits to authorised Aston Martin dealerships equipped to carry out the necessary updates. That won't necessarily solve every issue, but it does suggest that some of these frustrations can be addressed without changes to the hardware.
The comments repeatedly praise the Aston’s appearance, sound and relative rarity. Cost makes the conversation more cautious: depreciation, servicing and parts availability are recurring concerns, and some would prefer to buy used with a warranty. Those comments express expectations and experiences claimed by individual viewers; they don’t establish comparative ownership costs or future resale values.
Vanquish Volante: power, personality and a gearbox debate — Cars with Miles
Miles is clearly taken with the Vanquish Volante, praising its V12 performance, comfort and unexpectedly engaging handling. He places it among his favourite cars reviewed during the year, while asking how much of that enormous performance can usefully be enjoyed on the road.
His principal reservation concerns the automatic gearbox’s response, particularly compared with Ferrari’s dual-clutch transmission. That echoes the owner comparison discussed in Issue 38, which favoured the Ferrari’s quicker shifts while appreciating the Aston’s grand-touring character.
The comments supply an interesting counterpoint: one viewer actively welcomes smoother changes over constant aggression. Design and desirability attract considerable praise, with several preferring the Coupé. Others distinguish the appeal of Aston Martin’s cars from concerns about the company’s finances. It’s a useful discussion about what buyers want from a V12 flagship, with different preferences producing different answers.
A closer look at Valhalla Spider — Shmeebites
Shmee joins Valhalla product manager Tom Barker at the Wynn Las Vegas unveiling for a detailed walkthrough. The value here lies in the practical explanations: roof choices, storage, the wind deflector and the engineering around the open cockpit. It’s a launch-event introduction, with the Spider’s driving qualities still to be assessed independently.
We explored the launch in Issue 48, where I also explained that the silver, gold and red display specification wouldn’t be my own choice. The supplied comments show a similar distinction between admiring the car and liking that particular colour combination.
Several viewers welcome its appearance and roof options; others question luggage practicality, digital instruments and future values. The roof demonstration adds useful context to those storage questions, showing why the details deserve attention alongside the headline performance.
Valhalla’s appeal beyond the launch — Doug DeMuro
Doug and his co-hosts discuss the Spider’s appeal, Valhalla’s place among very expensive performance cars and the customers Aston Martin hopes to attract. Doug’s praise for its comfort, usability and extraordinary speed comes from driving the Valhalla Coupé. Those impressions shouldn’t be presented as a Spider road test.
Their enthusiasm connects with the product-strategy discussion in Issue 48, although the hosts disagree over likely depreciation. Those are competing forecasts, and the conversation doesn’t establish future values or prove the commercial strategy has succeeded. Doug’s full Valhalla Coupé review, featured earlier in this Roundup, provides more detail on the performance, handling and surprising comfort behind his positive assessment.
There’s little useful Spider reaction in the supplied podcast comments, which mostly address other subjects in the episode. One Aston-related contribution favours the One-77. There’s insufficient material here to describe a broader audience verdict on Valhalla.
A DB11, two friends and the road to Lake Como — Karl Watson
Karl Watson joins lifelong friend Adam Hedley in Adam’s DB11 AMR V12 for a four-day drive through eight countries to Lake Como. The Stelvio Pass fulfils a long-held ambition, while Switzerland’s Flüela Pass becomes an unexpected highlight. Their first trip alone together for more than twenty years gives the film a particularly warm centre.
The journey includes traffic, awkward access, changing weather and a schedule that sometimes leaves little time to linger. Karl’s initial nerves about driving the Aston also provide an approachable perspective from someone who openly says he isn’t a car enthusiast.
The supplied comments strongly appreciate the scenery, friendship and travel inspiration. There are reservations about the lengthy introduction and their expectations of Autobahn traffic, adding some balance to the enthusiasm. For me, it’s an appealing way to finish this week’s selection: an Aston Martin being used to explore new places and make memories with a friend.
After the films’ debates about price and future values, this week’s Market Watch gives us two completed sales to consider. At RM Sotheby’s London auction on Saturday 31st October, held at The Peninsula London, a 1964 DB5 Convertible and a 2023 Valkyrie Coupé both found new owners. Separated by almost sixty years, they represent two very different chapters in Aston Martin’s history.
MARKET WATCH: TWO ASTON MARTINS SIX DECADES APART
ASTON MARTINS FIND NEW OWNERS IN LONDON
There was a fascinating contrast between the two Aston Martins offered at RM Sotheby's London auction on Saturday 31st October. Held at The Peninsula London, the sale brought together a beautiful 1964 DB5 Convertible and an extraordinary 2023 Valkyrie Coupé. Separated by almost sixty years, they represented two very different chapters in Aston Martin's history, yet both found new owners.
They were, in fact, the only two Aston Martins offered during the auction, which saw 56 of its 64 lots sell. The Valkyrie also achieved the second-highest sale price of the entire event, surpassed only by a Ferrari Daytona SP3.
1964 ASTON MARTIN DB5 CONVERTIBLE – £522,500
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
Finished in its original Goodwood Green with a Fawn leather interior, this elegant DB5 Convertible was offered without reserve and achieved £522,500, comfortably within its pre-sale estimate of £375,000 to £575,000.
Just 123 DB5 Convertibles were produced, making them considerably rarer than their fixed-roof counterparts. While the saloon is forever associated with James Bond, the convertible has its own distinctive appeal, combining the DB5's familiar proportions with the pleasures of open-top grand touring.
However, this particular example carried an interesting, and potentially significant, qualification concerning its history. According to RM Sotheby's catalogue, the car underwent earlier restoration work involving DB6 components, including the dashboard and front bodywork. More importantly, the auction house disclosed that its chassis frame is believed to originate from a DB6. An additional catalogue notice also confirmed that the chassis number had been restamped.
Such details are particularly important in the classic Aston Martin market, where originality, provenance and the quality of restoration work can significantly influence valuations. The published result therefore needs to be considered in the context of this particular car's history, rather than treated as a straightforward indication of what an original DB5 Convertible should command.
Nevertheless, it's a lovely-looking Aston Martin, and one that clearly attracted sufficient interest to find a new owner.
If the DB5 represented Aston Martin's traditional craftsmanship, the Valkyrie demonstrated just how far the company has travelled in its pursuit of engineering excellence.
2023 ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE COUPÉ – £2,761,250
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
The second Aston Martin offered was an exceptionally specified Valkyrie Coupé, which achieved an impressive £2,761,250, against a pre-sale estimate of £1.8 million to £2.4 million. It was also the second most expensive car sold during the entire auction, behind the Ferrari Daytona SP3, which achieved £8,161,250.
Originally supplied to Japan, the Valkyrie had remained with its commissioning owner and recorded just 300 kilometres when catalogued. Finished in Zenith White with blue-tinted exposed carbon fibre, the car featured almost £235,000 worth of bespoke personalisation.
Some of the details were quite extraordinary. The engine air intake featured a colour transition inspired by Mount Fuji, graduating from Midnight Blue carbon fibre into Zenith White. The lightweight magnesium wheels alone represented a £40,000 option, while the interior combined Dark Knight and bespoke blue Alcantara.
It's a remarkable illustration of what Aston Martin's Q personalisation programme can achieve, particularly when applied to a car already representing one of the most ambitious engineering projects in the company's history.
With its Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre V12, hybrid assistance and extraordinary aerodynamic capabilities, the Valkyrie remains a machine unlike almost anything else wearing an Aston Martin badge.
The result is certainly encouraging for the car's collectability, although one exceptionally specified example, with minimal mileage and an interesting ownership history, cannot establish the direction of the wider Valkyrie market.
FTP MARKET WATCH – OUR THOUGHTS
It's interesting that both Aston Martins found buyers during an auction where eight of the 64 lots offered remained unsold. Their combined published sale prices amounted to £3,283,750, although it's important to remember that auction results include buyer's premium and aren't directly comparable with pre-sale estimates or private transaction prices. Both cars were also subject to temporary UK import arrangements, potentially affecting the final costs for their buyers.
For me, these two sales perfectly illustrate the remarkable breadth of Aston Martin ownership.
The DB5 represents an era when hand-built craftsmanship, elegant design and traditional grand touring defined the marque. The Valkyrie represents something altogether different, where Formula 1-inspired engineering, extraordinary performance and extensive personalisation have pushed Aston Martin into previously unexplored territory.
Their respective buyers may have very different reasons for wanting an Aston Martin, but both cars possess something that has helped sustain the marque's appeal for more than a century: a sense of occasion that extends well beyond simply getting from one place to another. Two individual results tell us relatively little about the direction of the wider market, but they certainly make for an interesting comparison.
For our Car of the Week, we turn from completed auction sales to an Aston Martin currently advertised for sale.
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FTP CAR OF THE WEEK
1981 ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA: THE FUTURE, BUILT BY HAND
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
Fifty years after its unveiling, William Towns’ wedge-shaped Lagonda can still make you stop and look. It’s also a first for our regular Car of the Week feature, and a particularly timely choice following our recent exploration of the Lagonda story. Having spent so much time researching the ambition behind this extraordinary car, it’s lovely to turn our attention to an example awaiting its next owner.
This 1981 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 is advertised by Albion Classic Cars in Smarden, Kent, for £49,995. It’s a home-market, right-hand-drive example showing 85,000 miles, with a 5.3-litre V8 and three-speed automatic transmission. The advertised Scarborough metallic blue paintwork is paired with dark blue Connolly leather, a restrained combination for such an uncompromising shape.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
There’s something fascinating about that contrast. The low nose, pop-up headlights and sharply drawn bodywork still look wonderfully unconventional, while the cabin brings together leather, walnut, Wilton carpets and lambswool overrugs. As we explored in our anniversary feature, the Lagonda combined an adventurous vision of the future with the traditional craftsmanship of Newport Pagnell. That tension remains a large part of its appeal.
According to Albion, the car was acquired in June 2017 by an Aston Martin Owners Club concours judge, who began a comprehensive recommissioning programme. The dealer reports more than £50,000 spent since 2017, with work involving specialists including Trinity Engineering, David Marks Garages and Quantum Works. Among the listed bills are £25,242.66 for extensive work at Trinity in 2018 and £12,168.73 at David Marks Garages in 2023.
The latter included instrument-panel repairs, new touch-control panels and electrical work. That provides a direct connection with one of the most absorbing parts of our Lagonda feature: the effort required to make its ambitious electronic cockpit function in everyday motoring. Albion says all the electrics work, including the dashboard. These remain the seller’s descriptions, but they give a prospective owner specific work and supporting paperwork to explore.
There’s an unexpected film connection too. The dealer says this car took part in filming several scenes for The Running Man during November and December 2024, and was subsequently featured in Autocar. It’s an intriguing addition to the history of a car that already looks quite capable of belonging in a science-fiction film.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
For me, the appeal is the opportunity to experience such a distinctive chapter of Aston Martin history. The asking price is only one part of that ownership proposition; the quality of the previous work and the car’s present condition will be central to enjoying it. A thorough specialist inspection and a careful look through the history file would help establish how the reported recommissioning has stood up over time.
If this has rekindled your interest in the wedge, our Featured Article, Lagonda at 50: The Extraordinary Car, the Historic Marque and the Aston Martin Connection, published on 4th October, explores the much bigger story. From Lagonda’s independent beginnings to William Towns, the digital dashboard and the car’s substantial contribution to Aston Martin’s survival, there’s far more behind that extraordinary shape than its familiar reputation suggests.
View the advertised car on Car & Classic.
The Lagonda shows how far Aston Martin has sometimes been willing to depart from familiar expectations. That question of identity also runs through this week’s Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcast, released just three days after we published The Bloodline — The Hunter Vantage and the Aston Martins That Dared to Be Different. In Episode 63, Marek Reichman: The Second Century Era, host Garry Taylor welcomes Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer back to discuss the ambition, decisions and cars of the Andy Palmer years.
ASTON MARTIN HERITAGE TRUST PODCAST
MAREK REICHMAN REVISITS ASTON MARTIN’S SECOND CENTURY
There’s particularly interesting timing to this week’s Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcast. Just three days after we published The Bloodline — The Hunter Vantage and the Aston Martins That Dared to Be Different, the Trust released a conversation with the designer whose thinking runs throughout our investigation. In Episode 63, Marek Reichman: The Second Century Era, host Garry Taylor welcomes Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer back to discuss the ambition, decisions and cars of the Andy Palmer years.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Marek Reichman.
Across approximately 56 minutes, Reichman describes a company preparing to broaden its horizons through the Second Century Plan. The conversation moves from DB11’s engineering and Mercedes technology partnership to Vulcan’s development from One-77, the opportunity behind DBX, Lagonda’s proposed electric reinvention and the Red Bull collaboration that produced Valkyrie.
It’s a revealing overview of how Aston Martin sought to reach different customers while developing a much wider range of cars.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. The ‘Hunter’ Aston Martin Vantage
For readers of The Bloodline, the Vantage discussion is especially relevant. Reichman explains that the brief from Palmer and the board was to give each model and market segment a clearly different identity.
That sits directly alongside the evidence we explored in “No More Russian Dolls”: the Hunter’s unfamiliar appearance reflected a deliberate decision to distinguish Vantage from DB11 and move beyond the close family resemblance of the previous range.
He also offers a candid reflection on the audience for that change. To make such differentiation succeed, he argues, Aston Martin needed to reach new customers, and he acknowledges that it didn’t speak to enough of them. Our feature examined the challenge of retaining existing owners while attracting new ones, alongside Palmer’s later acknowledgement of resistance to Hunter’s aggression and the wider commercial pressures affecting Vantage. Reichman’s recollection adds the designer’s perspective on how that ambition was communicated to potential buyers.
Perhaps the most intriguing additional detail concerns the name itself. Reichman recalls that the team discussed whether the radically different car should retain the Vantage name, and wonders whether another name might have changed its reception.
A familiar badge brings expectations about what follows. That gives another dimension to our section “What Makes a Vantage a Vantage?”: the new car inherited an emotional identity as well as a place in the showroom. Whether another name would have altered its fortunes remains an interesting possibility rather than something we can establish.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB10.
The Bond connection provides another close parallel. Reichman remembers showing Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes the DB11, before their attention turned to a sketch of the future Vantage labelled “The Hunter”. That encounter helped set DB10 in motion. His account supports the relationship we described through designer Sam Holgate’s recollections: early Vantage work branched into the Bond car, with the programmes sharing an evolving design language. The development story was more intertwined than simply turning DB10 into a production Vantage.
There’s a further connection when Reichman discusses preserving Aston Martin’s characteristic S-curvature on Valkyrie, recalling discussions with Adrian Newey about retaining that recognisable design cue. Throughout the interview, he returns to proportion as a foundation of Aston Martin identity. Those observations fit closely with The Bloodline’s central question about how recognition can survive substantial changes to the familiar face.
Our wider comparison with Valen remains an interpretation of shared design thinking; this interview concentrates on the earlier programmes. What it adds is a valuable first-hand account of the intentions and tensions behind them. Hearing Reichman defend the Vantage’s individuality while reflecting on its name and intended audience makes this a particularly worthwhile companion to the feature, whether you admire Hunter or still prefer a more traditional Aston Martin face. This podcast is well worth a listen and can be found via the link below;
Listen to Episode 63 through the Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcast page
Having heard from the design studio, we turn to the experiences of the people who own, drive and care for these cars. Three publications from the Aston Martin Owners Club dropped through my door this week: the Autumn 2026 edition of AM Quarterly, November’s AM Monthly and the Members Shop Collection for Winter 2026–2027. Between them, there’s plenty to enjoy, from owners’ experiences and historic racing to club gatherings and a little inspiration for Christmas.
AMOC | THROUGH THE LETTERBOX
THREE NEW ARRIVALS FOR YOUR ASTON MARTIN READING PILE
Three publications from the Aston Martin Owners Club dropped through my door this week: the Autumn 2026 edition of AM Quarterly, November’s AM Monthly and the Members Shop Collection for Winter 2026–2027. Between them, there’s plenty to enjoy, from owners’ experiences and historic racing to club gatherings and a little inspiration for Christmas.
The latest AM Quarterly offers a wonderfully varied selection, taking readers from historic racing at Monaco to touring, international club events and Écurie Bertelli’s half-century celebrations. Reports from places including Tunbridge Wells and the Netherlands sit alongside the racing coverage, showing just how many different ways there are to enjoy these cars and the friendships that develop around them.
One story that deserves a mention is George Johnson’s ‘Simply Puncture’. George is a regular FTP supporter who shares his thoughts beneath our Roundups and Featured Articles. He also wrote our guest article about upgrading from his previous-generation Vantage to the newer model, the very car involved in this story. A journey to Beaulieu’s Simply Aston event takes an unwelcome turn when his Vantage suffers a puncture on the M3. What follows is an account of people going out of their way to help, including the Aston Keeper team and staff at Kwik Fit in Bagshot, who help him get back on the road and reach the event.
It’s a lovely reminder that some of the most memorable ownership stories concern the people who come to our assistance when a day hasn’t gone to plan.
November’s AM Monthly brings another mix of club news, members’ contributions, concours coverage and updates from the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. Among the stories worth seeking out is Phil and Will Churchill’s Vantage World Tour through India. Their V8 Vantage’s journey from Kolkata to Mumbai combines the pleasure of travelling with the considerable practical challenges of taking a much-loved Aston across unfamiliar territory. Their travels offer plenty to interest anyone who enjoys a proper motoring adventure.
The Winter 2026–2027 Members Shop Collection completes the delivery. With Christmas approaching, it’s a timely opportunity to browse the club’s latest collection for a present or something for yourself.
If your copies are still sitting unopened, put the kettle on and give them some time. There’s far more inside than we can cover here, with members’ writing and photography bringing these experiences to life. For FTP readers who haven’t yet joined the Aston Martin Owners Club, you’ll find the membership information below.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
ONE WEEK FROM FIFTY
Putting this issue together has reminded me how much there is to discover about cars we think we know well. A designer’s recollection can change how we understand a familiar shape, just as learning about a stunt can give us a new appreciation of a scene we’ve watched many times. Those details are a large part of what I enjoy sharing through FTP.
The racing remains a mixture of encouragement and frustration, and I hope we’ve reflected both fairly. Aston Martin’s ambitions give us plenty to look forward to, alongside the work still needed to turn promising performances into consistent results. Following that progress, with all its setbacks and occasional breakthroughs, is part of the appeal.
There’s still an afternoon’s racing to unfold at Monza and Interlagos. By the time we meet again next Sunday, the winter endurance campaign will also be under way, with the opening Paul Ricard race behind us and another to follow that day.
Here at FTP, Sunday 15th November brings Issue 50. Reaching that point means a great deal. Whether you’ve followed these Roundups from the beginning or have only recently discovered them, thank you for making time to read.
Enjoy the racing and the rest of your Sunday. I’m looking forward to sharing our fiftieth edition with you next weekend.💚💛
See you on the next one! 👆
Kind regards,
Dan
Where Every Drive Tells a Story
3 Questions From This Week
You’re welcome to answer any of the three questions. Share your thoughts and reasons in the comments below, or tell us what else caught your attention in Issue 49.
