Week Ending 15/11/2026
FTP READING GUIDE · ISSUE 050
Fifty editions. One extraordinary read.
Fifty editions, countless Aston Martin stories and one very special Weekly Roundup. From our journey to this milestone and the cars that have captured our imagination, to the latest motorsport, news and discoveries, there's plenty to explore. Make yourself comfortable — this one deserves a proper cup of tea.
ESTIMATED READ
85 to 95 minutes
At a comfortable reading pace
FIFTY EDITIONS. WHAT A JOURNEY.
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM DAN · FTP EDITOR
Fifty Editions. 5,000 Subscribers. What a Journey.
NOVEMBER 2025 — NOVEMBER 2026
Welcome to Issue 050 of the Fuel the Passion Weekly Roundup. Fifty editions, almost a full year since our very first, and as if the timing could have been any better, the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel has just reached 5,000 subscribers too. Looking back at where we started in November 2025, I can hardly believe how much has changed.
Issue 01 was a simple collection of Aston Martin news, motorsport, heritage and Owners Club updates. There were short summaries, basic photographs and a few takeaways. The presentation was modest and some stories only scratched the surface, but the idea was there: to bring together the Aston Martin world in one place each week.
As the Roundup grew, so did my ambition for it. I wanted to go beyond the headlines, explore stories in greater depth and explain how developments fitted into the bigger picture. One of the most enjoyable additions was Car of the Week, although the idea began rather differently. In Issue 10, One Badge, Two Worlds – Astons for Sale This Week explored the extraordinary breadth of the Aston Martin market, contrasting relatively affordable, ageing DB7s and DB9s with the rare and hugely valuable Valiant, Valkyrie and Vulcan. It wasn't about choosing one particular car, but demonstrating just how different two Aston Martins could be while sharing the same famous badge.
Two editions later, in Issue 12, the idea became a regular feature under its original name, Pick of the Week. Our first individual selection was a 2018-generation Aston Martin Vantage V8, advertised by Auto100 for £83,980. Finished in Minotaur Green over Oxford Tan Contemporary Caithness leather, with bright silver AMR forged wheels, it was a car that immediately caught my attention.
There was also a personal connection. In many ways, its appearance reminded me of my own FTP Vantage: the same generation of Aston Martin sports car, with those distinctive proportions, muscular rear haunches and unmistakable character. The featured example wore the later Vane grille, whereas my preference remains the original Hunter grille fitted to my 2019 Vantage. Had the Minotaur Green car been a Hunter, it would have been even closer to my ideal specification. Nevertheless, that combination of colour, interior and silver wheels made it a memorable choice for our very first selection.
FROM THE FTP ARCHIVE · ISSUE 012 · 22 FEBRUARY 2026
Where Pick of the Week Began
A Minotaur Green Aston Martin Vantage V8, with Oxford Tan leather, silver AMR forged wheels and the later Vane grille. Offered by Auto100 at £83,980, it was the first individual Aston Martin selected for a feature that would eventually become Car of the Week.
Image © Fuel the Passion, for illustrative purposes.
What began with that Minotaur Green Vantage gradually became the Car of the Week feature readers recognise today. Each selection is a genuine Aston Martin advertised for sale at the time of publication, chosen because something about its specification, history, condition or character makes it worth exploring. Looking back across the editions, those choices also provide a fascinating series of snapshots of the Aston Martin market.
Longer stories brought a new challenge: making them comfortable to read. A fellow Aston Martin owner suggested estimated reading times after I asked for feedback on our DBS Buyers Guide. That useful idea helped inspire a wider focus on the reading experience. We've since introduced a story Navigator, a percentage-read progress indicator, a quick return-to-top control and even a feature that remembers where you left off and offers to take you back when you return.
That last addition feels particularly appropriate. There's no reason you should have to read the whole Roundup in one sitting. Enjoy a few stories on Sunday, dip back in during the week or pick up where you stopped whenever it suits you. We've also refined our tables and information panels using bespoke code, and added links throughout the edition to make finding related content easier.
Some features have evolved through experience. Our Aston Martin share-price coverage, for example, moved from weekly updates to a more useful monthly perspective in the first Roundup of each calendar month. We've introduced carefully selected affiliate links, advertising and occasional promotions for FTP films and articles, always aiming to keep them relevant to the Aston Martin enthusiasts who visit us.
The Roundup has also become a doorway to more of Fuel the Passion. We still cover the important motorsport news each week, but readers looking for championship tables, season progress and detailed race reports can explore the FTP Motorsport Hub. Our Buyers' Guides, Featured Articles and films are increasingly connected too, with the Where Next? section helping visitors discover something else that interests them. The Motorsport Hub itself is set for further development in 2027.
Another milestone worth celebrating.
We'd set ourselves a target of reaching 5,000 YouTube subscribers by the end of 2026. To achieve it around two months ahead of schedule, just as the Weekly Roundup reaches Issue 050, makes this edition feel even more special.
I know Fuel the Passion doesn't publish a new film every week. The reality is that maintaining and developing the website, researching and producing the Weekly Roundup, creating longer articles and then making a properly considered film every seven days simply isn't realistic for one person. I'd rather create films when there's a story genuinely worth telling and give them the time they deserve.
There are still some fantastic films I want to make, though, and I thoroughly enjoy the process of creating them. Filming, finding the story, putting the edit together and eventually sharing the finished piece remains one of the most rewarding parts of Fuel the Passion. Reaching 5,000 subscribers feels less like an end point and much more like encouragement to keep going.
FTP × BLACKTHORN RACING
Hopefully, we're only just getting started.
One of the most exciting developments has been the relationship forming between Fuel the Passion and Blackthorn Racing. What began as an opportunity to spend time with the team and film behind the scenes is developing into a collaboration I'm genuinely excited about.
Blackthorn has some serious ambitions, a fascinating story and a team of people determined to keep moving forward. I'm keen to get stuck in and support that journey where I can: being there, filming what happens behind the garage doors and at the circuit, and sharing that story with you as it develops.
We've already captured some memorable moments together, but hopefully there's much more still to come. It feels as though the relationship is only beginning, and I'm excited to see where the team's journey takes us next.
If you've enjoyed our Blackthorn coverage, please consider subscribing to the team's own YouTube channel too. Supporting their channel helps more people discover the racing, the personalities and the work going on behind the scenes.
VISIT BLACKTHORN RACING ON YOUTUBENone of this happened overnight. There have been experiments, revisions and the occasional technical frustration, and I certainly don't consider the Roundup finished. We're continually looking for ways to improve the reporting, the design and the experience of spending time here. Reader suggestions and comments have helped along the way, and I hope the changes we've made complement the way you choose to enjoy our content.
Of course, there's still a Weekly Roundup to enjoy!
Beyond the celebrations, Issue 050 brings together another fascinating selection of stories from across the Aston Martin world. We reflect on the dramatic conclusion to the World Endurance Championship season at Monza, including the Valkyrie's tantalisingly close encounter with a historic podium, and look ahead to the opening of the Asian Le Mans Series, where four Aston Martin Vantages will be competing at Paul Ricard.
Away from the circuit, we explore the remarkable road-going Valkyrie LM, consider encouraging developments surrounding Aston Martin's online configurator, and bring you the usual mixture of news, heritage, market observations and discoveries that make each edition a little different. There are also some special features to mark our fiftieth Roundup, including a look back at memorable Cars of the Week.
Then, just as I thought this milestone edition couldn't get much more special, Aston Martin announced a partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027. The celebrations begin in January, with more details of Aston Martin's involvement expected early next year. Aston Martin has even released a short, 20-second teaser video, although the precise plans remain under wraps for now.
I make no secret of how much I love Star Wars. I grew up with those films and the toys that went with them. Year after year, the latest Star Wars figures and spacecraft were on my birthday and Christmas wish lists, and I was delighted whenever another one joined the collection. Those childhood memories have never really left me. To see that world now come together with Aston Martin, a marque I love just as much, is rather wonderful. What a time to be following both — and what extraordinary timing for Issue 050!
We'll return to this exciting announcement, including Aston Martin's teaser video, a little later in the Roundup. Rather than simply reporting the headline, we'll explore what this partnership could mean, consider the possibilities it opens up and look at why the connection between Aston Martin and Star Wars might be more intriguing than it first appears.
It's a celebration of how far we've come, certainly, but just as importantly, it's another opportunity to enjoy everything that makes the Aston Martin world so interesting.
Whether you've been reading since Issue 01, watching the films, following our motorsport coverage or have only just found Fuel the Passion, thank you for being part of the journey. Your interest, encouragement and feedback have helped make these fifty editions possible.
Fifty editions. 5,000 subscribers. And it feels as though we're only getting started.
Bond's iconic DB5.
In miniature.
Celebrate six decades of Goldfinger with this special gold-finished Scalextric Aston Martin DB5. Designed for Scalextric racing, it combines classic 007 appeal with Magnatraction for extra grip and a durable, super-resistant body.
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007 · COLLECTABLE GIFT IDEA
Affiliate link note: Some links may be affiliate links, which means Fuel the Passion may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
WEC MONZA FINALE:
SO CLOSE TO HISTORY — VALKYRIE'S PODIUM DREAM ENDS IN HEARTBREAK
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
An extraordinary comeback, a daring strategy and a podium lost after the chequered flag. Meanwhile, Heart of Racing comes within a fraction of a second of LMGT3 victory.
For a few extraordinary minutes at Monza, it seemed that Aston Martin had finally achieved something we'd been hoping to celebrate throughout the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season. The Valkyrie had crossed the finishing line in third place, securing what appeared to be its first WEC Hypercar podium. After months of development, encouraging performances and several tantalising near misses, it was a moment worth celebrating. Unfortunately, the celebrations would prove painfully short-lived.
The six-hour season finale, held on Sunday 8th November, was won by the #38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA entry of Jack Aitken, Sébastien Bourdais and Earl Bamber, ahead of the #36 Alpine A424. Yet behind the leading pair, Aston Martin was producing one of the most remarkable recoveries of the afternoon.
From the back of the field to the podium
The #007 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie, shared by Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble, had endured a difficult start, dropping towards the back of the Hypercar field following early problems. Its prospects of a breakthrough result appeared remote, but as the race developed, the car's pace became increasingly evident.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Tincknell helped keep the recovery moving before Gamble took over for a remarkable final stint. With the Valkyrie looking increasingly competitive, the British driver began carving his way through the field, closing rapidly on cars that had spent much of the afternoon fighting near the front.
His decisive move past the #94 Peugeot elevated the Aston Martin into fourth place. The next target was Antonio Giovinazzi in the #51 Ferrari 499P, and with fewer than 40 minutes remaining, Gamble swept through to claim third.
Suddenly, the possibility of a historic podium had become a reality.
There was, however, an intriguing complication. Gamble was using considerably more of his available energy than the cars around him, prompting the television commentators to question whether Aston Martin was gambling on a late safety car or another race neutralisation. It was an aggressive approach, but one that offered the tantalising prospect of securing the result the team had been chasing all season.
A gamble that almost paid off
The closing minutes were extraordinary. As the #007 continued towards the chequered flag, a fierce battle between the #12 Cadillac and #94 Peugeot ended with the Cadillac crashing heavily into the barriers. Yellow flags appeared, raising the possibility that the interruption Aston Martin appeared to be anticipating might finally arrive.
However, the race continued without the neutralisation that could have changed the team's energy calculations. To compound the difficulty, the leading Cadillac crossed the timing line with approximately two seconds remaining, beginning another lap rather than bringing the race to an immediate conclusion.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Tom Gamble.
Despite everything, Gamble brought the Valkyrie home in third place.
For Aston Martin, it appeared to be a historic moment. The extraordinary naturally aspirated V12-powered Hypercar, which had attracted so much attention since its introduction to international endurance racing, had finally reached the WEC podium.
Then came the devastating news. A post-race investigation found that the #007 had operated below the minimum permitted tyre pressures, resulting in a 20-second penalty and the loss of third place to Ferrari. A further investigation into the car's permitted energy usage subsequently brought a reported additional 145-second penalty.
While the precise final classification has been reported inconsistently, the outcome is clear: Aston Martin's first WEC Hypercar podium had slipped away.
The team had crossed the line third, but the result couldn't stand.
It was a heartbreaking conclusion, although the circumstances also underline just how fine the margins are in modern endurance racing. Aston Martin's strategy had been ambitious, Gamble's driving exceptional, and the car's performance demonstrated genuine progress. The regulations ultimately determined the result, but they couldn't erase what we'd witnessed on the circuit.
Heart of Racing fights back to within 0.270 seconds of victory
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. The Heart of Racing Vantages at the start. Monza 2026.
While the Valkyrie's podium hopes ended in disappointment, Aston Martin supporters had considerably more to celebrate in LMGT3. The #23 Heart of Racing Vantage AMR LMGT3, driven by Gray Newell, Eduardo 'Dudu' Barrichello and Jonny Adam, produced an outstanding recovery after a difficult opening phase.
As you can see if you play the clip below, an incident involving the #79 Mercedes-AMG saw the Aston Martin struck from behind, sending it sideways and costing valuable time. Fortunately, the car was able to continue, and the team gradually worked its way back into contention.
As the race developed, the #23 became an increasingly serious threat. Barrichello and Adam were involved in some excellent battles, particularly against the Ford Mustangs, before the Brazilian took up the pursuit of the leading #92 The Bend Manthey Porsche. The closing laps provided one of the finest contests of the afternoon. I’ve attached another video below, which is set to play when the #23 Vantage is sitting right behind the #92 The Bend Manthey Porsche. It’s worth watching these closing stages.
Barrichello was visibly quicker in several sections of the circuit, closing relentlessly on Richard Lietz as the Porsche driver attempted to protect his advantage. With the Aston Martin filling his mirrors, the outcome remained uncertain almost to the finish. The late accident involving the #12 Cadillac added another complication. Double yellow flags temporarily prevented overtaking through part of the circuit, limiting Barrichello's opportunities just as he appeared capable of challenging for the lead. Once the cars cleared the restricted section, there was precious little time remaining.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Dudu Barrichello.
Barrichello attacked all the way to the chequered flag, but the Porsche held on by just 0.270 seconds. It was an extraordinary finish, and although victory had slipped away, the #23 crew had delivered another excellent result for Aston Martin. Barrichello also recorded the fastest LMGT3 race lap, further demonstrating the Vantage's competitiveness.
A difficult afternoon for the sister cars
The other two Aston Martins experienced more challenging races.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. #009 Valkyrie.
The #009 Valkyrie, shared by Alex Riberas and Marco Sørensen, was involved in an incident at the first chicane and returned to the pits with substantial damage. Despite the setback, the team continued, eventually finishing fourteenth overall.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. #27 Vantage.
In LMGT3, the #27 Heart of Racing Vantage of Ian James, Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi also suffered contact, this time involving the #34 Racing Team Turkey Corvette. Repairs interrupted its progress, although the crew recovered to complete the top ten.
These incidents were a reminder of just how unforgiving Monza can be, particularly with Hypercars and GT3 machinery sharing the circuit and traffic frequently influencing battles in both classes.
A season of progress — and unfinished business
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. The #23 Vantage crew celebrate 2nd at Monza 2026.
As the chequered flag fell on the 2026 WEC season, Aston Martin had every reason to reflect on how far its endurance racing programmes had progressed. We've followed the Valkyrie's development throughout the year, from the early challenges of establishing a new Hypercar programme to increasingly competitive performances against some of the world's most established endurance racing manufacturers.
There have been setbacks and frustrations, but also genuine moments of encouragement. The Valkyrie's fourth-place finish at Spa demonstrated its growing competitiveness, while subsequent performances offered further evidence of the progress being made. Monza provided perhaps the clearest illustration yet of both the car's potential and the fine margins that separate success from disappointment.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. #27 Vantage in action.
For the Vantage, the season has been equally encouraging. Heart of Racing secured six LMGT3 podium finishes across its two entries, including victory for the #27 at the Circuit of the Americas, while the #23 added further podium appearances at Le Mans, Austin and Monza.
The championship honours went elsewhere, with Toyota securing the Hypercar titles and TF Sport's Corvette programme celebrating LMGT3 success. Nevertheless, Aston Martin's achievements across both categories shouldn't be overlooked.
The Valkyrie is becoming an increasingly credible competitor, while the Vantage continues to demonstrate why it remains such a formidable GT racing machine.
Looking ahead, we're currently working on a special FTP Featured Article for publication in December, reviewing Aston Martin's 2026 motorsport season. Rather than concentrating solely on the World Endurance Championship, we'll revisit the major racing series covered throughout our Weekly Roundups, reflecting on the victories, championship successes, disappointments and memorable moments that have shaped Aston Martin's year on the international stage. It promises to be a fascinating opportunity to bring together the stories we've followed throughout 2026 and consider what they tell us about Aston Martin's wider motorsport ambitions heading into 2027.
For now, though, our attention returns to Monza. We'd dearly loved to have celebrated that first Valkyrie WEC Hypercar podium. For a few extraordinary minutes, it seemed the moment had finally arrived. Instead, we'll have to wait a little longer.
But after a performance like this, the prospect of seeing a Valkyrie on the WEC podium in 2027 feels more realistic than ever.
Watch: FIA WEC — Extended Highlights | 6 Hours of Monza 2026
ASTON MARTIN — FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP · 2026
Hypercar positions represent the principal driver pairings. LMGT3 positions represent individual team entries. Championship standings following the 2026 Monza finale.
Monza wasn’t the only place where encouraging pace failed to deliver the result Aston Martin supporters wanted. Over in Brazil, Fernando Alonso also found reasons for optimism during a weekend that ultimately left the team empty-handed.
Aston Martin GT3.
Gulf racing colours.
Bring a little Aston Martin motorsport excitement to your racing circuit with this 1:32 scale SuperSlot Vantage GT3. Wearing the unmistakable Gulf-inspired racing colours, this detailed slot car combines an eye-catching competition livery with smooth track performance. A lovely addition for Aston Martin enthusiasts and slot-car collectors alike.
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FORMULA 1: A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN BRAZIL, BUT ASTON MARTIN'S STRUGGLES CONTINUE
São Paulo Grand Prix | Round 20 of 23 | 8th November 2026
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso. Brazilian Grand Prix 2026.
After the disappointment of two retirements in Mexico City, Aston Martin arrived at Interlagos hoping for something rather more encouraging. Although the São Paulo Grand Prix ultimately delivered another weekend without championship points, there were at least some signs that the AMR26 could compete more effectively than its recent results might suggest.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
For Fernando Alonso, the weekend began with a welcome breakthrough. Heavy rain transformed Saturday's qualifying session into a demanding test of judgement, confidence and car control, with the Spaniard taking advantage of the difficult conditions to reach Q3 for the first time this season.
Qualifying ninth, and subsequently moving up to eighth on the starting grid following penalties elsewhere, Alonso had given Aston Martin a considerably better opportunity than it had enjoyed at several recent races. Lance Stroll, meanwhile, struggled in the same conditions, qualifying nineteenth before moving up to sixteenth for Sunday's race.
ALONSO FINDS PACE AS INTERLAGOS DELIVERS ANOTHER THRILLER
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso. Brazilian Grand Prix 2026.
Sunday's 71-lap Grand Prix provided the sort of unpredictable spectacle for which Interlagos has become famous. Beginning in wet conditions, the circuit gradually dried before another spell of rain arrived late in the race, forcing teams to make difficult decisions about tyres and strategy.
Alonso made a competitive start and found himself involved in several midfield battles, including an entertaining contest with Williams driver Alex Albon. There was also contact with Oliver Bearman's Haas, which left the Aston Martin carrying some damage, although Alonso was able to continue.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso. Brazilian Grand Prix 2026.
What stood out was the AMR26's performance through the corners. Alonso appeared considerably more comfortable than he has during many previous rounds, allowing him to challenge cars that have generally enjoyed a substantial performance advantage this season.
However, the familiar weakness of straight-line performance remained. Despite the encouraging handling characteristics, Aston Martin continued to surrender valuable time on the faster sections of the circuit, making sustained progress through the field difficult.
When the rain returned during the closing stages, Alonso switched back to intermediate tyres. He eventually brought the car home in twelfth position, narrowly outside the points but ahead of both Alpine drivers, both Williams cars and both Haas entries.
Speaking afterwards, Alonso described the car as particularly strong through the corners and considered São Paulo one of Aston Martin's most competitive races of the year. His assessment was encouraging, although the result itself demonstrated that the team still has considerable ground to recover.
ANOTHER RETIREMENT FOR STROLL
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Lance Stroll. Brazilian Grand Prix 2026.
For Lance Stroll, the weekend proved considerably less rewarding.
Having started sixteenth, the Canadian was unable to make meaningful progress before a battery issue forced his retirement after 30 completed laps. It was another frustrating technical failure for a team whose 2026 campaign has been repeatedly interrupted by reliability concerns.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Lance Stroll. Brazilian Grand Prix 2026.
The contrast between the two Aston Martins was particularly disappointing. While Alonso demonstrated that the AMR26 could occasionally challenge its midfield rivals, Stroll's retirement once again prevented the team from bringing both cars to the finish.
Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack nevertheless took encouragement from Alonso's performance, highlighting the fact that Aston Martin had been able to compete with cars generally considered faster in both qualifying and the race.
NORRIS WINS AS MERCEDES SECURES THE CONSTRUCTORS' TITLE
At the front, Lando Norris produced an accomplished drive to secure victory for McLaren, finishing 14.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver delivered one of the outstanding performances of the afternoon, recovering from twenty-first on the grid to finish second, while teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third.
George Russell and newly crowned Drivers' World Champion Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, securing enough points for Mercedes to clinch the 2026 Constructors' Championship with three rounds remaining.
For Aston Martin, however, the championship picture remains sobering. The team sits tenth in the Constructors' standings with just seven points, five behind Williams. Alonso occupies seventeenth in the Drivers' Championship, while Stroll has yet to register a point.
THREE RACES REMAIN — CAN ASTON MARTIN BUILD ON BRAZIL?
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
There’s no disguising the disappointment of Aston Martin's 2026 Formula 1 campaign. Expectations surrounding the team's new technical era were understandably high, yet the combination of performance limitations and persistent reliability problems has made this an extraordinarily difficult season.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
Nevertheless, São Paulo offered a reminder that progress isn't always reflected in the final classification. Alonso's qualifying performance, competitive race pace and confidence through the corners provided some grounds for encouragement, even if the team was unable to convert them into points. The challenge now is to translate those isolated improvements into something more consistent, while addressing the technical problems that continue to undermine the team's efforts.
Formula 1 now heads to Las Vegas for the next round, taking place on 19th–21st November, before the final two Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
With just three races remaining, Aston Martin will be hoping to finish a difficult year with something positive to build upon. After all, the ambition remains considerable, even if the results have yet to match it.
ASIAN LE MANS SERIES:
FOUR ASTON MARTINS PREPARE FOR THE WINTER CHALLENGE
Paul Ricard | Rounds 1 & 2 | 14th–15th November 2026
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Circuit Paul Ricard. Winter Le Mans 2026.
While Formula 1 heads towards its final three races, the endurance racing calendar is beginning a new chapter. This weekend, Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France hosts the opening two rounds of the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series, with four Aston Martin Vantage GT3s preparing to take on one of the most competitive grids of the winter.
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Circuit Paul Ricard. Winter Le Mans 2026.
For Aston Martin supporters, there's plenty to look forward to. Écurie Écosse Blackthorn, Heart of Racing and Car Blanche by RSL will all be represented, bringing together teams and drivers whose achievements we've followed throughout an eventful 2026 season.
We introduced the championship's new European format, the Aston Martin entries and Blackthorn's striking new livery in FTP Weekly Roundup Issue 049. With the opening races now approaching, attention turns from preparations to the competition itself.
BLACKTHORN BEGINS ITS NEXT CHAPTER
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Circuit Paul Ricard. Winter Le Mans 2026.
For Écurie Écosse Blackthorn, the #70 Vantage represents another significant step in the team's endurance racing ambitions. Giacomo Petrobelli and Kobe Pauwels will be joined by experienced Aston Martin factory driver Jonny Adam, bringing a combination of recent GT3 success, emerging talent and considerable endurance racing experience.
Blackthorn arrives following its International GT Open Pro-Am championship success, but this is a different challenge. The Asian Le Mans Series brings longer races, demanding multi-class traffic and a formidable field of GT3 rivals. The opening weekend will provide an early indication of how effectively the team can translate its recent momentum into this new championship.
HEART OF RACING DOUBLES ITS ASTON MARTIN PRESENCE
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Heart of Racing enters two Vantage GT3s, making its Asian Le Mans Series debut with a strong six-driver line-up. The #26 brings together Gray Newell, Eduardo Barrichello and Roman De Angelis, while the sister #27 features Ian James, Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi.
With experience drawn from both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA, Heart of Racing arrives with an established understanding of the Vantage and the demands of international GT competition. The team will nevertheless face unfamiliar opposition in a championship where consistency, reliability and effective traffic management can prove every bit as important as outright speed.
CAR BLANCHE JOINS THE ASTON MARTIN CHALLENGE
Completing the quartet is the #68 Car Blanche by RSL Vantage, shared by Arnold Robin, Valentin Hasse-Clot and Jonny Edgar. Car Blanche has already given Aston Martin supporters plenty to celebrate in 2026, most notably through its success in IMSA. Its appearance at Paul Ricard adds another intriguing dimension to the manufacturer's presence in the championship.
With four Vantages representing three different teams, the opening weekend offers an opportunity to see how Aston Martin's GT3 package performs against a particularly varied field of international opposition.
TWO RACES, EIGHT HOURS OF COMPETITION
Image © Blackthorn Racing. Used for editorial purposes. Circuit Paul Ricard. Winter Le Mans 2026.
The opening meeting features two separate four-hour races, one on Saturday and another on Sunday. With 46 cars entered across Hypercar, LMP2 and GT3, traffic management and strategy will be critical throughout both contests. The championship also introduces Ferrari 499P Hypercars to its grid, adding another dimension to the multi-class spectacle. For the Aston Martin crews, however, the immediate objective is clear: establish a competitive position in GT3 and begin the six-race championship with valuable points.
There's an additional Aston Martin presence in the separate Asian Le Mans Cup support races, with two further Vantages entered. As explained in Issue 049, those cars compete in their own two-hour events rather than the main four-hour races.
After an encouraging year for Aston Martin GT racing, it's exciting to see another championship getting underway just as others reach their conclusion.
Four Vantages, three teams and two demanding races to open the season. There's every reason to follow what happens at Paul Ricard this weekend.
Following these teams through a season has become a substantial part of life at Fuel the Passion. Before we move into the week’s wider Aston Martin stories, this feels a good moment to look back at how that coverage, and the rest of FTP, has grown around the Roundup.
FUEL THE PASSION · YOUTUBE
THE ROAD TO 001
How Fuel the Passion evolved while we were busy producing fifty Weekly Roundups.
The beginning
The Weekly Roundup Begins
Issue 001
Every journey has a starting point. On 17 November 2025, FTP published its first Weekly Roundup: a modest collection of Aston Martin news, motorsport, heritage and AMOC stories.
At around 900 words, it was a relatively simple affair, with brief summaries, takeaways and useful links. The idea was already there: bring the important stories together, add context and make the Aston Martin week easier to follow.
By Issue 049, that simple idea had developed into a much richer reading experience, with deeper research, original commentary and interactive features. Fifty editions later, the ambition remains the same. It's the journey that's grown.
External recognition
A Special Honour from the Aston Martin Owners Club
Roger Thornton-Brown Trophy
At the Aston Martin Owners Club's Annual Awards at The Belfry, FTP received the Roger Thornton-Brown Trophy, recognising the use of digital technology to benefit Club members and the wider Aston Martin community.
The award celebrated FTP's films, particularly my coverage of the AMOC's 90th anniversary celebrations in Austria in 2025. I filmed every day, sharing the experience through the eyes of an Aston Martin owner.
The short highlights film also supported the Club's successful Club of the Year entry at the 2025 International Historic Motoring Awards. Having that contribution recognised was an unexpected and very special honour.
Watch the AMOC 90th Anniversary highlights filmA recurring favourite
Car of the Week Finds Its Home
Issue 012
First tested in Issue 010, Car of the Week found its regular home in Issue 012 with a striking 2018 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
It was the same generation as my own FTP Vantage, although it had the Vane grille rather than my preferred Hunter grille. What really caught my eye was its colour: Minotaur Green, my favourite Aston Martin finish. What a way to begin!
I don't think that particular car stayed advertised for very long. The idea remains simple: celebrate a real Aston Martin that an enthusiast could genuinely go out and buy.
YouTube growth
The Road to 5,000 Takes Shape
FTP passed 3,000 YouTube subscribers and set an ambitious new challenge: 5,000 by 1 January 2027.
The aim wasn't to produce films simply to feed an algorithm. It was to keep telling worthwhile Aston Martin stories and improving the films along the way.
A permanent resource
The FTP Aston Martin Buyers Guides — Born from Experience
17 May 2026 · The first Buyers Guide
When I was searching for my own Vantage, I wanted a comprehensive, trustworthy guide to what I should check before buying. There was plenty of useful information, but much of it was scattered across different sources. I never quite found the single resource I wanted.
Readers also began asking for advice about Aston Martins they were considering buying. Those conversations, alongside my own experience, helped inspire the FTP Buyers Guides.
Beginning with the VH-era V8 Vantage, the guides bring together model history, known issues, maintenance, ownership experience, specialist observations and market context. The aim isn't to discourage ownership, but to help readers make informed decisions.
We're working towards a growing, evidence-led library covering Aston Martin models across the marque's history.
Explore the FTP Aston Martin Buyers Guides
A dedicated home for racing
The FTP Motorsport Hub Takes Shape
One shared passion for Aston Martin motorsport
Here at FTP, we love motorsport. Whether watching from home or occasionally visiting a circuit, there's little doubt which manufacturer we're cheering for!
As we followed more championships, race reports, standings and team developments became too extensive for the Weekly Roundup alone. The FTP Motorsport Hub 2026 gave that coverage a permanent home.
Our Featured Team, Blackthorn Racing, also has its own section, bringing together results, developments and links to the team's channels.
We're designing a brighter, more accessible Motorsport Hub for 2027. The ambition remains one welcoming destination for Aston Martin racing news across teams, circuits and championships.
Explore the FTP Motorsport HubMarket Watch · Looking ahead
The FTP Aston Martin Market Tracker Takes Shape
A project in development
Our Car of the Week and Market Watch features have sparked an interest in how advertised Aston Martin asking prices change over time.
Behind the scenes, we're developing the FTP Aston Martin Market Tracker to monitor asking prices across a broad range of models. It won't predict future values or provide formal valuations: it's intended as an evolving reference for owners and enthusiasts.
It's taking time to develop a consistent approach. We're hoping to introduce it during 2027 and will share more as the project progresses.
A new chapter
FTP × Blackthorn Racing
A collaboration built on shared passion
Some of the most rewarding opportunities begin with an unexpected conversation. At the 2025 AMOC Festival, I met Blackthorn Racing owner and driver Claude Bovet, who'd brought along one of the team's magnificent Vantage GT3s and kindly agreed to an interview for FTP.
I hadn't known Blackthorn before that meeting. I said in the film that I'd be following their progress, and that's exactly what happened. We stayed in touch, and Blackthorn became FTP's Featured Team.
Being invited to film at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Michelin Le Mans Cup at Silverstone and the International GT Open title finale in Barcelona has been a genuine privilege. It offers a chance to tell the stories of the people and preparation behind the racing.
With Le Mans among Blackthorn's ambitions, we hope to follow more of their journey. We've also started producing films for the team's own YouTube channel, with hopefully more to come in 2027.
I'm enormously grateful to Claude and everyone at Blackthorn for their trust and generosity. From one conversation at an owners' club event to filming a championship-winning team — what a journey.
Watch the original Claude Bovet interview Subscribe to Blackthorn Racing on YouTube
A permanent FTP resource
The FTP Aston Martin Anniversary Calendar Goes Live
A living record of Aston Martin history
After months of research, verification and development, the FTP Aston Martin Anniversary Calendar launched on its target date of 1 September 2026.
The Calendar brings together anniversaries across Aston Martin cars, motorsport, James Bond, AMOC and the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. Its accompanying Evidence Register explains the research behind dates and openly acknowledges uncertainty or conflicting sources.
This is a living resource. Readers are invited to suggest anniversaries, highlight possible inaccuracies and contribute evidence so the Calendar keeps improving.
Explore the Anniversary CalendarForty editions
Issue 040 — Forty Editions and Still Evolving
From a short digest to a substantial weekly read
What began as a simple digest had become a much more substantial publication. Issue 040 contained approximately 16,100 words including page elements, with an estimated reading time of 65–70 minutes.
Its breadth ranged from international motorsport and Formula 1 technology to new road cars, Aston Martin's business challenges, proposed emissions legislation, owners' news and heritage. A detailed DB5 market investigation drew on five years of documented auction results.
The Roundup now includes deeper research, interactive tables, navigation, reading-time guides and links to permanent FTP resources. More words don't automatically mean a better publication; we're continually improving the depth, clarity and experience of reading it.
Forty editions completed, and no intention of standing still.
Behind the garage door
Blackthorn Racing · Silverstone
For the first time, Fuel the Passion spends a race weekend embedded with Blackthorn Racing.
Instead of watching timing screens from home, FTP is inside the garage and pit lane, filming the work behind the #91 Vantage GT3 and seeing at close quarters what it takes to put one racing Aston Martin onto the circuit.
The collaboration suddenly becomes very real.
Watch Silverstone · Episode 2 Watch Silverstone · Episode 1The reading experience evolves
Making the Weekly Roundup Easier to Explore
A better experience, shaped by our readers
As our research and the Weekly Roundup have grown, we've also been learning how to make the website easier and more enjoyable to use, experimenting with code and listening to readers' suggestions.
Our Reading Time panel shows an estimated reading duration, a lime progress bar, a percentage marker and a Return to Top control. If you leave partway through, the system can remember your place and offer to return you there when you next visit — asking only once rather than repeatedly interrupting.
The interactive Roundup Navigator lets you jump straight to a favourite section. A halfway marker lets you know when you've reached 50% — perhaps time for another cuppa!
We're always looking to improve, and many ideas come from our readers. This is your community too, so please keep the suggestions coming.
Long-form editorial
Featured Articles Go Deeper
Lagonda at 50
Lagonda at 50 explores one of Aston Martin’s most extraordinary chapters and demonstrates how the Featured Article can slow a story down, research it properly and give an important subject the space it deserves.
The format is becoming a distinct part of FTP alongside the weekly rhythm of the Roundup.
Read Lagonda at 50
Inside the title finale
Inside a Championship-Winning Weekend
Blackthorn Racing · Barcelona
The Blackthorn story reaches another level as FTP joins the team in Barcelona for the International GT Open finale.
The cameras are there for the tension, the racing and the celebrations as Charles Bateman secures the Pro-Am drivers’ title — allowing FTP to document one of the team’s biggest moments from inside the garage rather than from the outside looking in.
The Featured Article develops again
The Bloodline Is Published
1 November 2026 · Sunday double bill
The Bloodline examines the Hunter-grille Vantage and the Aston Martins that dared to be different, extending FTP’s long-form approach again only four weeks after Lagonda at 50.
Published alongside Weekly Roundup Issue 048, it becomes another marker of how much deeper FTP’s standalone editorial has become.
Read The BloodlineTarget achieved · 5 November 2026
5,000 Subscribers — Thank You!
On 5 November 2026, FTP first reached 5,000 YouTube subscribers, achieving the target set in April almost two months early. The number may fluctuate, but reaching it is something I genuinely don't take for granted.
Five thousand might seem modest beside some channels, but imagine 5,000 people gathered together in one place. That's a remarkable number, and I'm so grateful you've chosen to follow FTP.
If you've been here from the early days, thank you for staying with us. If you've only recently joined, a very warm welcome! There's a growing back catalogue of Aston Martin films to enjoy over the winter months.
5,000 subscribers. One shared passion. The journey continues!
Issue 050
Almost a year after Issue 001, the Weekly Roundup reaches Issue 050. Along the way, Fuel the Passion has added Buyers Guides, a growing Motorsport Hub, Featured Articles, market research, new website tools and a developing collaboration with Blackthorn Racing — while the YouTube community has grown beyond 5,000 subscribers.
The rest of Fuel the Passion kept growing around it. This is how we got to 050.
The journey continues
Thank You for Being Part of Fuel the Passion
Reaching fifty editions means an enormous amount to me, but none of it would mean quite so much without the people who take the time to read, watch, comment and share their enthusiasm for Aston Martin.
Whether you've followed FTP from the beginning or only recently discovered us, thank you. Every visit, subscription, thoughtful comment and message of encouragement helps keep me researching, filming and writing.
Fuel the Passion is about more than cars. It's about the people, experiences, history and shared enthusiasm that bring us together. I don't take your support for granted.
This is our community. Let's grow it together.Looking back has been a pleasure, but there’s still room for Aston Martin to surprise us. This next announcement brings together two of my favourite things, with a fiftieth-anniversary connection that feels particularly appropriate for this edition.
ASTON MARTIN AND STAR WARS
FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY TO THE ASTON MARTINS OF TOMORROW
An unexpected partnership, a fascinating collection of protected names, the Hunter-grille Vantage and why inspiring the next generation matters more than ever.
WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
There are some announcements that immediately catch your attention, and Aston Martin's unexpected partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm certainly did that for me. Announced on 12th November, the collaboration will see Aston Martin join the celebrations marking fifty years of Star Wars in 2027, with activities beginning in January and further details promised early next year.
As someone who has loved Star Wars since childhood, and who has spent rather a lot of his adult life enjoying Aston Martins, it's a partnership that brings together two very different passions. I'll admit, I hadn't seen this one coming.
Here at Fuel the Passion, we think it's an excellent move.
There's something rather appealing about Aston Martin associating itself with a franchise that has captured the imaginations of successive generations for almost fifty years. It's an opportunity to reach well beyond the traditional automotive audience, introducing the marque to people who might never previously have given Aston Martin much thought.
Perhaps, amongst those millions of Star Wars enthusiasts, are some of the Aston Martin owners of tomorrow.
But what might the collaboration actually involve? A specially commissioned Aston Martin? A limited-edition model? Something connected with the anniversary celebrations? Perhaps an entirely different creative project? Those were the questions that initially came to mind. That's where this story could quite easily have ended. We could’ve reported the announcement, reflected on the possibilities and waited for Aston Martin to reveal more. But that's not really how we do things here at Fuel the Passion.
One of the great pleasures of producing the Weekly Roundup is following an interesting story wherever it might lead. Sometimes that means looking beyond the original announcement, exploring the history, asking a few questions and seeing whether apparently unrelated pieces of information might fit together. On this occasion, what started as a twenty-second Star Wars teaser has taken us somewhere I really hadn't anticipated.
Our investigation uncovered a name that connects Aston Martin, Star Wars, our recent The Bloodline featured article and a fascinating discussion involving Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. That name is Venator.
VENATOR — A FASCINATING CONNECTION
In March 2024, Aston Martin Lagonda Limited filed trademark applications for Venator and Aston Martin Venator, claiming an earlier priority date in September 2023. The names subsequently received US trademark registrations in November 2025, protecting them for automotive use. For Star Wars enthusiasts, Venator will immediately sound familiar.
The Venator-class Star Destroyer was one of the Galactic Republic's formidable capital ships, appearing in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars. It's an unmistakable part of the franchise's fictional universe. So discovering that Aston Martin had protected the same name was rather intriguing, particularly in light of the newly announced Lucasfilm partnership.
But then we discovered something even more interesting. Venator is Latin for hunter. Now, where have we heard that before?
THE HUNTER-GRILLE VANTAGE — WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Regular FTP readers will know that our recent featured article, The Bloodline — The Hunter Vantage and the Aston Martins That Dared to Be Different, explored the design character of the original second-generation Aston Martin Vantage, particularly its controversial Hunter grille.
Image © Fuel the Passion. The 2019 Hunter Grill Aston Martin Vantage, FTP Vantage.
It's a subject particularly close to my heart, given that the FTP Vantage is one of those very cars. When Aston Martin introduced the new Vantage in 2017, its appearance represented a dramatic departure from the previous generation. The low, aggressive nose and distinctive grille created a very different personality, one that divided opinion amongst enthusiasts.
For some, the styling was too great a departure from what they expected an Aston Martin Vantage to look like. For others, myself included, that difference was precisely what made the car so appealing. In The Bloodline, we explored whether the car might have benefited from having a completely different name. Rather than presenting it as the successor to a much-loved Vantage, could Aston Martin have introduced it as something with its own identity?
Interestingly, this very subject resurfaced in Issue 049 of the FTP Weekly Roundup, when we featured an Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcast involving Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. During that discussion, Reichman reflected on the Hunter-grille Vantage and the question of whether giving such a distinctive design a different name might have influenced how it was received. It's a fascinating consideration.
Was the styling itself responsible for some of the criticism, or did the familiar Vantage name encourage comparisons with its predecessor that made the new car harder for traditional enthusiasts to accept? Perhaps it was a little of both. That brings us straight back to our newly discovered trademark.
Imagine if Aston Martin had introduced the Hunter-grille Vantage as the Aston Martin Venator. I rather like the sound of that.
Venator has strength, character and a certain sense of menace. More importantly, its Latin meaning seems perfectly suited to the distinctive design that became known as the Hunter grille. Would enthusiasts have been more willing to accept such a dramatic departure if the car had been presented as an entirely new model? Would the name have allowed Aston Martin to establish a separate identity, rather than invite inevitable comparisons with the previous Vantage? We'll never know.
The Hunter-grille Vantage arrived years before the documented Venator trademark filings, so this is a question of what might have been rather than evidence of an abandoned naming decision. But perhaps there's another possibility.
Could Aston Martin be preparing a future model carrying the Venator name, possibly revisiting some of the more aggressive design character of the Hunter-grille Vantage? Personally, I think that's an intriguing prospect. Perhaps it could be a particularly focused Vantage derivative, a limited-production special or an entirely new model with a distinctive identity of its own.
I'd certainly love to see Aston Martin revisit the Hunter's design philosophy. It's a car that has become increasingly distinctive as the years have passed, and I suspect its appearance will continue to attract interest long after the original controversy has faded. The idea of a future Aston Martin Venator, carrying forward some of that character, is one I find particularly appealing.
But our investigation didn't stop there.
WHAT OTHER NAMES HAS ASTON MARTIN BEEN PROTECTING?
Having discovered Venator, the obvious next question was whether Aston Martin had protected other names that might offer clues about future models. The answer was rather interesting.
One is Vanguard, a name for which Aston Martin filed a US trademark application in March 2023, with registration following in June 2025. Vanguard means the advance guard, or those at the forefront of an undertaking. It's a strong, purposeful name that suggests leadership, progress and technological ambition. Could it be appropriate for a future flagship Aston Martin, perhaps something representing a significant step forward in design or engineering? I certainly think so.
Then there's Varekai, a name with a particularly interesting history. Back in 2018, there was speculation that Varekai might become the name of Aston Martin's forthcoming SUV. Ultimately, the company chose DBX instead. Yet the Varekai name hasn't disappeared. Aston Martin returned to it with another US trademark application in June 2025. Varekai comes from the Romani language and means wherever or anywhere. It's a name that evokes travel, freedom and exploration, qualities that could sit comfortably with a grand tourer or SUV.
Three names, then, with three very different meanings. Venator — hunter. Vanguard — advance guard. Varekai — wherever.
Each suggests a different personality, and each offers an interesting possibility for a future Aston Martin. But there's another reason these names caught my attention. As we know only too well, Aston Martin has a remarkable history of choosing names beginning with the letter V, and those names frequently tell us something about the cars themselves.
THE ASTON MARTIN V TRADITION — NAMES WITH MEANING
In September 2026, Aston Martin's own company historian, Steve Waddingham, explored this very subject in an article examining the marque's longstanding tradition of V names. It stretches back to 1950, when Vantage first appeared as a performance designation for the DB2. The name was derived from advantage, reflecting the improved performance offered by the more powerful engine. Since then, Aston Martin has drawn inspiration from several languages, ancient mythology and words associated with strength, achievement and adventure.
What I find especially interesting is that these names aren't simply chosen because they sound impressive. They frequently reflect the character, purpose or engineering philosophy of the cars themselves. Aston Martin has demonstrated that it understands the importance of giving a car an identity that complements its design. When we place the established names alongside those protected more recently, the possibilities become rather intriguing.
The following table traces the history of Aston Martin's V names, their meanings and when they first appeared, alongside the names that might yet feature in the company's future.
THE POWER OF V
Aston Martin's names, their origins and what might come next.
From Vantage in 1950 to the names Aston Martin has protected for possible future use, the letter V has become part of the marque's identity. Explore the meaning behind fourteen names, spanning more than seven decades.
| THE CAR | THE NAME | YEAR | WHAT IT MEANS | THE ASTON MARTIN CONNECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VANTAGE ESTABLISHED | 1950 | From advantage, suggesting superior performance and a competitive edge. | First used for a higher-performance engine option on the DB2, before becoming one of Aston Martin's most enduring model names. |
|
VOLANTE ESTABLISHED | 1965 | Italian for flying, evoking freedom, movement and open-air motoring. | Introduced with the Short Chassis Volante and subsequently adopted as Aston Martin's celebrated convertible designation. |
|
VIRAGE ESTABLISHED | 1988 | French for bend or corner, suggesting the pleasure and precision of driving. | Introduced on Aston Martin's new-generation V8 grand tourer, with the name returning for another model in 2011. |
|
VANQUISH ESTABLISHED | 2001 | To conquer, overcome or defeat, expressing strength and supremacy. | A name associated with Aston Martin's flagship V12 grand tourers, combining formidable performance with prestige. |
|
VULCAN ESTABLISHED | 2015 | The Roman god of fire, metalworking and the forge. | A dramatic name for Aston Martin's track-only, naturally aspirated V12 machine, subsequently developed into the even more extreme AMR Pro. |
|
VALKYRIE ESTABLISHED | 2017 | In Norse mythology, Valkyries are warrior figures who select those destined for Valhalla. | Chosen for Aston Martin's extraordinary hypercar, a name that has also become associated with its top-level endurance racing ambitions. |
|
VALHALLA ESTABLISHED | 2019 | In Norse mythology, the great hall associated with warriors who have fallen in battle. | Aston Martin's mid-engined hybrid supercar, continuing the mythological naming theme established by Valkyrie. |
|
VICTOR ESTABLISHED | 2020 | From Latin, meaning winner or conqueror. | The spectacular one-off Aston Martin Victor also honours Victor Gauntlett, whose leadership helped shape the marque's modern history. |
|
VALOUR ESTABLISHED | 2023 | Courage, bravery and strength in the face of difficulty. | A limited-production, manual V12 grand tourer created to celebrate Aston Martin's 110th anniversary. |
|
VALIANT ESTABLISHED | 2024 | Brave, courageous and determined. | An extreme, track-focused V12 special developed with input from Fernando Alonso. |
|
VALEN ESTABLISHED | 2026 | Associated with the Latin valens, meaning strong or powerful. | A contemporary addition to Aston Martin's V-name tradition, continuing its association with performance and distinctive design. |
|
THE NEXT CHAPTER
THREE PROTECTED NAMES
Names, not confirmed production models
|
||||
|
V
A NAME FOR THE FUTURE?
|
VANGUARD PROTECTED NAME | 2023 | The advance guard — those at the forefront of progress or innovation. | A protected name that could suit a technologically ambitious Aston Martin or future flagship. No production model has been confirmed. |
|
V
A NAME FOR THE FUTURE?
|
VENATOR PROTECTED NAME | 2024 | Latin for hunter. Also familiar to Star Wars enthusiasts through the Venator-class Star Destroyer. | A particularly intriguing name given Aston Martin's Hunter-grille Vantage heritage and its new Star Wars partnership. Any model connection remains speculative. |
|
V
A NAME FOR THE FUTURE?
|
VAREKAI PROTECTED NAME | 2025 | From Romani, commonly interpreted as wherever or anywhere. | Previously linked to speculation surrounding a possible Aston Martin SUV name. Its eventual use, if any, remains unknown. |
(All images used in this table; Images © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes).
Looking at that collection (and what a collection they are!), there's a remarkably consistent theme. Vanquish suggests conquest. Valkyrie evokes extraordinary power. Valour and Valiant communicate courage, while Valen draws directly on the Latin word for strength. So what might Venator, Vanguard and Varekai eventually represent?
It's reasonable to assume Aston Martin has protected these names with potential future models or special editions in mind. Venator remains my favourite, particularly because of its connection with the Hunter-grille Vantage. Vanguard sounds like a name worthy of something technologically significant, while Varekai could be well suited to a car intended to explore new territory, perhaps literally or figuratively.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Valen.
There's a recent example that makes the Venator possibility particularly appealing. When Aston Martin introduced Valen, it connected the car's Latin-derived name with its performance and design character.
If Valen represents strength, why couldn't Venator eventually represent the hunter?
It's a question I suspect we'll be revisiting.
DB14, DB15 — AND THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DB13
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB12.
Our search through Aston Martin's trademarks also revealed something interesting but not surprising, about the company's familiar DB model designations. In November 2025, Aston Martin filed applications to protect DB14 and DB15, suggesting that the company is already preparing the names that could continue its grand touring lineage.
Given the history and importance of the DB designation, I'd be very surprised if we didn't eventually see these names appearing on future Aston Martins. That assumption seems pretty obvious. But there's an obvious question. What happened to DB13?
With DB12 already established and DB14 and DB15 protected, it certainly looks as though Aston Martin could be preparing to jump over thirteen. Given the longstanding superstition surrounding that particular number, perhaps that wouldn't be entirely surprising. After all, would some prospective customers hesitate to purchase a car carrying a number traditionally associated with bad luck?
It might seem a rather minor consideration when discussing an expensive grand tourer, but luxury purchases are often influenced by emotion, tradition and perception.
Interestingly, our research uncovered another twist. Aston Martin actually registered DB13 as a US trademark in August 2016, having applied for protection in June 2015. So the company hasn't avoided protecting the name. But protecting a designation and deciding to put it on a production car are two very different things.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB12.
When a manufacturer has invested hundreds of millions of pounds developing a new model, why take an unnecessary gamble with its name? Superstitions surrounding the number 13 remain surprisingly widespread, and even if only a small proportion of potential customers were discouraged by the prospect of owning a DB13, that's a risk Aston Martin simply doesn't need to take.
Our reasonable suspicion is that Aston Martin may well choose to bypass DB13 when the time comes, and that DB14 could become the next major step in its grand touring lineage.
There's a fascinating historical precedent for doing exactly that.
FTP WEEKLY ROUNDUP · ISSUE 050
Time for a cuppa?
You've reached the halfway point of our special 50th edition. Fifty editions, fifty per cent of the way through, and the perfect moment to put the kettle on! We've plenty more Aston Martin stories waiting, so why not take a little break before diving back in? Go on, grab a cuppa. You've earned it!
HALFWAY THROUGH THIS ISSUE
Around 42–48 minutes still to enjoy
REMEMBER THE DB8 THAT NEVER WAS?
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB9.
When Aston Martin introduced the DB9 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003, it jumped directly from DB7, bypassing DB8. The reasoning was particularly interesting. The DB9 represented such a substantial technological advance over its predecessor that Aston Martin wanted the name to communicate a genuinely new generation of car.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB9.
It was the first production Aston Martin built at the company's new Gaydon facility and introduced the bonded-aluminium VH architecture, providing the foundation for a new era of Aston Martin development. It was much more than a straightforward replacement for the DB7. But there were other considerations, too.
In a recent Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcast exploring the DB9, Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham discussed the naming decision, including the possible confusion surrounding Jaguar's established XK8 designation and the suggestion that DB8 might have implied an eight-cylinder engine.
Image © Jaguar, JLR. Used for editorial purposes. The Jaguar XK8.
The Jaguar XK8 had been introduced in 1996, several years before the DB9, so the name was already familiar when Aston Martin was preparing its new grand tourer.
Choosing DB9 therefore helped distinguish the new Aston Martin, both from its predecessor and from other cars in the marketplace. Could history repeat itself? Perhaps Aston Martin will decide that the next generation of its grand tourer represents such a significant technological advance that DB14 is a more appropriate designation than DB13. Or perhaps the company simply doesn't fancy taking its chances with an unlucky number.
It's remarkable how much the names alone can tell us about the company's thinking, even before we know anything about the cars that might eventually carry them.
BACK TO STAR WARS — COULD ASTON MARTIN DESIGN A SPACECRAFT?
By this point, our investigation had travelled a considerable distance from the original Star Wars announcement. But there was one more discovery that brought us right back to where we'd started.
Porsche has already collaborated with Lucasfilm to design a spacecraft.
In December 2019, Porsche and Lucasfilm unveiled the Tri-Wing S-91x Pegasus Starfighter, a fictional spacecraft created through a collaboration between their design teams. Over approximately two months, the designers worked to combine Porsche's recognisable styling characteristics with the visual language of the Star Wars universe.
The resulting spacecraft incorporated influences from the Porsche 911 and Taycan, translated into an entirely different form. A detailed 1.5-metre model was unveiled in connection with the Los Angeles premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Interestingly, the spacecraft didn't appear in the film itself. It was a creative design exercise and promotional collaboration rather than an actual on-screen vehicle. Nevertheless, what an extraordinary opportunity for Porsche's designers. They'd been invited to imagine what their brand's design philosophy might look like if translated into a spaceship.
Which raises an obvious question. Could Aston Martin's designers now be invited to do something similar?
FROM SPORTS CARS TO SUBMARINES — WHY NOT A SPACESHIP?
At first, the idea of Aston Martin designing a spacecraft might sound rather fanciful. But when we consider the company's wider design activities, perhaps it isn't quite so far-fetched. Aston Martin's designers have already applied the marque's distinctive identity to projects extending well beyond conventional sports cars.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Residences in Miami.
The spectacular Aston Martin Residences in Miami, officially opened in 2024, brought the company's design philosophy into luxury architecture and residential interiors.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. AMB 002 Roadster Motorcycle.
Its collaboration with Brough Superior has produced the remarkable AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro motorcycles, with the AMB 002 Roadster taking that partnership further.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda & Airbus Corporation. Used for editorial purposes. ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter & the Aston Martin DB11 AMR.
Aston Martin has also explored aviation through the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter, developed with Airbus Corporate Helicopters, while its adventures into the marine world have been equally fascinating.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter & the Aston Martin DB11 AMR.
In September 2017, Aston Martin announced Project Neptune, an extraordinary collaboration with American specialist Triton Submarines to develop an exclusive, limited-edition luxury submersible.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Project Neptune.
Using Triton's three-person Low Profile platform, Marek Reichman and his design team applied Aston Martin's distinctive styling, craftsmanship and attention to detail to a vehicle designed for an entirely different environment.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Project Neptune.
It was also the first project undertaken by Aston Martin Consulting, demonstrating how the marque's expertise could extend well beyond sports cars.
The project was a fascinating example of Aston Martin's creative ambition.
If its designers could transform a submarine into something unmistakably Aston Martin, why not imagine what they might achieve with a spacecraft? Of course, we're talking about design rather than the engineering required for space travel, but with the new Star Wars collaboration bringing these two worlds together, it's an intriguing thought.
After all, if Aston Martin can take its design philosophy beneath the waves, why not amongst the stars?
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Egg & Aston Martin Pushchair/Pram.
Even children's transport hasn't escaped the attention of Aston Martin's designers. Back in 2013, the company collaborated with Silver Cross on a luxury pushchair, while a more recent partnership with British manufacturer egg produced another collection inspired by Aston Martin's automotive design language.
From luxury apartments and motorcycles to helicopters, submarines and pushchairs, Aston Martin has demonstrated that its distinctive design philosophy can be applied to some remarkably different products. But there's another, more recent project that makes the prospect of an Aston Martin spacecraft particularly interesting.
Aston Martin has already designed a fictional vehicle for one of the world's biggest video game franchises.
ASTON MARTIN ANSWERS THE CALL OF DUTY
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. In Game Aston Martin Dreadnought.
On 16th July 2026, Aston Martin unveiled the Dreadnought, a fictional tactical SUV created for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Developed in collaboration with Infinity Ward and Activision, Dreadnought took Aston Martin's familiar design philosophy into an entirely different environment. This wasn't simply an existing Aston Martin reproduced in a video game. The company's design team created a bespoke vehicle, combining extreme off-road capability, military-inspired armour, aggressive styling and the unmistakable character of a V12 engine.
Its fictional specification included all-wheel drive and advanced protective technology, intended to make it a formidable vehicle within the game's world. A full-size physical model was also produced, allowing Aston Martin's creation to be experienced beyond the screen.
Who was closely involved in the project? Marek Reichman. The same Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer whose reflections on the Hunter-grille Vantage featured in last week's Roundup. It's another fascinating connection.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Marek Reichman.
The man responsible for shaping Aston Martin's modern design identity has already helped demonstrate that the company's distinctive visual language can be translated into a fictional universe. So perhaps the idea of an Aston Martin-designed Star Wars spacecraft isn't quite so fanciful after all.
But there's something else about the Dreadnought project that I find even more significant.
REACHING THE ASTON MARTIN OWNERS OF TOMORROW
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. In Game Aston Martin Dreadnought.
When Aston Martin announced Dreadnought, Stefano Saporetti, the company's Director of Brand Diversification, explained that expanding into gaming offered an opportunity to introduce Aston Martin to a younger, global audience. The idea was straightforward. Allow people who might never have experienced an Aston Martin in the real world to discover the brand through something they already enjoy.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. In Game Aston Martin Dreadnought.
In this case, one of the world's most successful video game franchises. It's a fascinating approach, particularly when we consider that many of those playing Call of Duty today could become Aston Martin customers in the years ahead.
The association introduces the marque to people who may not follow the automotive industry, attend motor shows or read specialist motoring publications. But they might remember driving an extraordinary Aston Martin Dreadnought through a virtual battlefield, and perhaps that memory will stay with them.
There's a rather wonderful connection here with something Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's former Chief Executive Officer, discussed in our recent FTP YouTube film, More Than Just Cars.
During the film, Dr Bez spoke about the importance of attracting younger generations to Aston Martin, recognising that the company's future depends not simply on those who can afford its cars today, but on those who might aspire to own one tomorrow. That message has stayed with me.
Because when we consider the Call of Duty collaboration, and now Aston Martin's partnership with Star Wars, we can see how relevant that thinking remains. These aren't simply opportunities to associate Aston Martin with successful entertainment franchises. They're opportunities to introduce the brand to entirely new audiences, creating familiarity, excitement and perhaps even a lifelong ambition.
When you consider the extraordinary global reach of Star Wars, the possibilities become even more interesting.
THE JAMES BOND EFFECT — A LESSON FROM HISTORY
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Of course, Aston Martin has already enjoyed one of the most successful associations between a car manufacturer and an entertainment franchise. James Bond. How many Aston Martin owners first became interested in the marque because they watched Sean Connery driving the DB5 in Goldfinger?
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Or perhaps they were inspired by Timothy Dalton's V8 Vantage in The Living Daylights, Pierce Brosnan's Vanquish in Die Another Day, or Daniel Craig's appearances behind the wheel of various Aston Martins.
The Living Daylights.
The legendary V8.
Revisit one of James Bond's most memorable Aston Martins with this detailed 1:32 scale Scalextric V8 from The Living Daylights. Finished in black, this tribute to Timothy Dalton's first 007 adventure features authentic styling and working rear lights, bringing a little cinematic excitement to your Scalextric circuit.
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007 · COLLECTABLE GIFT IDEA
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The relationship between Aston Martin and James Bond has become so deeply established that it's almost impossible to think of one without the other.
What I find particularly interesting is how frequently that association emerges when owners explain why they eventually purchased an Aston Martin. It's something we've heard repeatedly in Aston Martin Heritage Trust podcasts, where owners reflect on their first encounters with the marque.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
For many, the fascination began long before they could afford the car. Perhaps it was a film, a photograph, a model car or simply seeing an Aston Martin passing by. That initial moment of excitement remained with them, sometimes for decades. Eventually, circumstances allowed them to fulfil the ambition.
Which makes me wonder whether the next generation of Aston Martin owners might tell a slightly different story. Perhaps their fascination will have started with Dreadnought in Call of Duty. Perhaps it will be something Aston Martin creates with Lucasfilm. Or perhaps they'll remember seeing an Aston Martin in a Star Wars anniversary celebration and deciding, there and then, that one day they'd like to own one.
It might sound a little romantic, but isn't that how so many automotive passions begin?
SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS A MOMENT
Image © Fuel the Passion. Salon Privé, London 2026.
There's another aspect to this that feels particularly personal and something that will resonate with many Aston Martin owners. As an Aston Martin owner, I've experienced firsthand just how much excitement these cars can generate, particularly amongst younger enthusiasts. Whether I'm attending a car show or simply stopping at a petrol station, it's not unusual for an adult or a youngster to approach the FTP Vantage, sometimes accompanied by a parent, fascinated by the car.
They'll ask questions, admire the styling and occasionally look at it with that unmistakable expression of someone imagining what it might be like to own one. Whenever circumstances allow, I'm more than happy to let them sit in the driver's seat, with their parent's permission where appropriate. It's such a simple thing, but the reaction can be wonderful.
The moment they settle into the seat, look around the interior and imagine themselves behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, their faces light up. I remember one particular occasion at Salon Privé in London, when a youngster was admiring the FTP Vantage with his father. With the car stationary and under my close supervision, I allowed him to press the beautiful glass engine-start button and rev the engine. The reaction was extraordinary. Not just from the youngster, but from his father too.
The excitement on their faces was something I won't forget.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Salon Privé, London 2026.
For me, it was a relatively small gesture. A few moments of my time, sharing something I'm fortunate enough to own and enjoy. But for that youngster, it might have been a memory that stays with him for years.
Perhaps he'll never own an Aston Martin. Perhaps he'll develop an entirely different interest. But equally, perhaps one day, when he's older and circumstances allow, he'll remember that experience and decide to fulfil a childhood ambition.
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
It's something I've often thought about when meeting young enthusiasts. A moment that might seem relatively insignificant to an owner can be quite extraordinary for someone experiencing an Aston Martin up close for the first time, and it brings us back to what Dr Bez was saying.
MORE THAN JUST CARS — THE NEXT GENERATION
Image © Fuel the Passion. Aston Martin Valkyrie on show at Salon Privé, London 2026.
The more I think about it, the more I believe there's a connection between Aston Martin's international partnerships and those small, personal encounters that take place every day. At one end of the scale, the company can introduce its name to millions of people through films, video games and major entertainment franchises.
At the other, there's a youngster at a car show, standing beside an Aston Martin and imagining what it might feel like to own one. Both experiences can create a lasting impression. As owners, we naturally enjoy these cars for all sorts of reasons. The design, the sound, the engineering, the heritage and, of course, the experience of driving them.
But there's also something rather special about sharing that enthusiasm with someone who's only just discovering the marque. Those encounters have often been amongst the most memorable. After all, many of today's Aston Martin owners were once the youngsters standing beside the road, watching one pass and dreaming about the day they might own one.
The connection with James Bond demonstrates how powerful those early impressions can be, and perhaps the collaborations with Call of Duty and Star Wars will help create similar memories for a new generation. The Aston Martin owners of tomorrow may well be the youngsters discovering the marque today.
BACK TO A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY
Which brings us back to the announcement that started this entire investigation. The original Star Wars film celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2027, with Disney and Lucasfilm preparing a programme of celebrations. The original 1977 film is returning to cinemas, while a new feature film, Star Wars: Starfighter, is scheduled for release in May 2027. Could Aston Martin contribute a design to one of these projects, perhaps a spacecraft, a futuristic vehicle or something existing entirely within the fictional universe?
It's an exciting thought, particularly given Porsche's previous collaboration with Lucasfilm and Aston Martin's own experience creating Dreadnought for Call of Duty. Equally, we could see something more conventional, such as a specially commissioned Aston Martin, a limited-edition specification, anniversary merchandise or exclusive customer experiences.
Whatever Aston Martin and Lucasfilm have planned, here at FTP we think the partnership is a very positive development. Aston Martin has a remarkable history, but heritage alone won't secure its future. The marque needs to remain relevant, exciting and desirable to successive generations, including those who are many years away from being able to purchase one of its cars.
Star Wars offers an extraordinary opportunity to do precisely that. It's a franchise that has entertained children, parents and grandparents for almost half a century, creating shared experiences and memories that have endured across generations.
Bringing Aston Martin into that world could introduce the marque to an audience far broader than traditional motoring enthusiasts, and if even a small proportion of those people develop an interest in Aston Martin, that can only be encouraging for the company's future.
It's also a reminder that an Aston Martin is more than a collection of engineering components, however extraordinary those components might be. It's an object of desire, a symbol of achievement and, for many people, the fulfilment of a dream that began years earlier. Sometimes a lifelong passion begins with a single moment.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Vanquish S.
As for the Star Wars collaboration, I'm genuinely looking forward to discovering what Aston Martin and Lucasfilm have planned. The company has confirmed that its Star Wars celebrations will begin in January 2027, with further details promised early in the year.
If Marek Reichman and his team do get the opportunity to design a starfighter for a galaxy far, far away, I have just one request;
Please give it a proper Aston Martin grille.
May the Force be with Aston Martin!
THE ASTON MARTIN DB10
A BOND CAR THAT HELPED SHAPE THE FUTURE
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes. An Aston Martin DB10.
An interesting retrospective published by Jalopnik on 8th November revisits one of Aston Martin's most unusual creations, the DB10, built exclusively for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. Written by Chris Tsui, the article explores how an early design proposal for the next Vantage became Bond's bespoke Aston Martin, with just ten examples produced and a design that would influence the company's next generation of sports cars.
It's a story particularly familiar to FTP readers. Earlier this year, our Featured Article, The Aston Martin DB10: A Bond Car That Shaped My Aston Martin Journey, explored the car's origins, engineering, cinematic adventures and lasting influence. More recently, The Bloodline — The Hunter Vantage and the Aston Martins That Dared to Be Different investigated that design connection in considerably greater depth.
One particularly interesting finding from our research was that the DB10 wasn't simply transformed into the production Vantage. Instead, it emerged from an already developing Vantage design programme, providing Aston Martin with a remarkable opportunity to explore its evolving design language. Together with the extraordinary Vulcan, those influences would help shape the distinctive Hunter Vantage unveiled in 2017.
The Jalopnik retrospective is a welcome reminder of just how influential this remarkable Bond car became. For readers interested in the fuller story, both FTP features offer plenty more to discover.
Read the original: Jalopnik — Aston Martin Once Built a DB10 That Never Went to Production
Explore our FTP Featured Articles:
The DB10 shows how a design can capture our imagination long before we have any prospect of owning it. For those exploring an Aston Martin specification of their own, the company’s digital showroom offers a rather more practical starting point.
ASTON MARTIN'S ONLINE CONFIGURATOR WINS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN AWARD
Award-winning design delivers impressive results for Aston Martin's digital showroom
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Configurator.
Aston Martin's online vehicle configurator has received international recognition, with digital consultancy MHP winning a 2026 Red Dot Design Award in the web configurations category for its redesign of the platform.
The configurator, which has been in use since 2021, allows customers to explore Aston Martin's model range and personalise their chosen car through detailed, real-time 3D visualisations. The redesigned experience guides users through exterior colours, interior materials and equipment choices before presenting their completed specification and providing a route to contact a retailer.
Although the award recognises the quality of the digital design, the reported commercial benefits are perhaps even more interesting. According to MHP, the redesigned configurator has achieved a 184% improvement in the proportion of visitors completing a desired action, alongside a 241% increase in the number of potential customer enquiries generated each day.
In simple terms, Aston Martin is reportedly receiving more than three times as many daily sales leads through the platform as before.
The improvements follow research into how customers interacted with the previous system, including analysis of visitor behaviour, feedback from retailers and identification of areas where users experienced difficulties. The resulting redesign features a cleaner interface, improved mobile functionality and greater emphasis on the cars themselves, making the process of exploring and personalising an Aston Martin more intuitive.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin Configurator.
For Aston Martin, whose customers can spend considerable time considering individual specifications, the configurator is much more than a digital showroom. It's an important part of the customer journey, allowing prospective buyers to explore the extraordinary range of personalisation options before potentially taking the next step towards ownership.
There is, however, an important distinction between increased enquiries and completed vehicle sales. The figures have been reported by MHP, without disclosure of the underlying numbers or measurement periods, and don't necessarily indicate a corresponding increase in actual orders. Nevertheless, they suggest the redesigned platform is proving more effective at encouraging prospective customers to engage with the brand.
It's encouraging to see Aston Martin receiving recognition for this aspect of its customer experience, particularly as the company continues to develop its digital presence alongside its evolving model range.
Sources: Automotive World — 10 November 2026 | MHP official announcement
A configurator offers one way to lose a little time imagining an Aston Martin of our own. These next films offer another, with rather more opportunity to enjoy the engines as well as the colour choices.
ASTON MARTIN ON YOUTUBE
THREE FILMS, THREE VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES
As we celebrate our fiftieth Weekly Roundup, we've selected three recent YouTube releases that capture rather different aspects of Aston Martin's appeal. From the extraordinary engineering behind the Valkyrie LM to the enduring charm of an earlier-generation V8 Vantage, and finally an exclusive track-day experience at Monza, there's plenty here for enthusiasts to enjoy.
This isn't intended to become a regular feature of every Roundup, but occasionally a collection of films comes along that's simply too good not to share. We've also taken a look at the comments beneath each video, which offer an interesting perspective on how the wider Aston Martin community has responded.
TOP GEAR — ASTON MARTIN JUST BUILT A MORE EXTREME VALKYRIE!
Just when you might reasonably have thought Aston Martin had taken the Valkyrie concept as far as it could go, along comes another extraordinary interpretation. This time, Top Gear has been given access to the Valkyrie LM, a customer-focused version derived from Aston Martin's endurance racing Hypercar. Filmed at Monza, the 25-minute feature explores the differences between the already formidable Valkyrie AMR Pro and the LM, revealing how two machines sharing a common family history can deliver surprisingly different driving experiences.
The LM is particularly fascinating because, unlike the AMR Pro, its engineering is directly connected to the Valkyrie racing programme.
Aston Martin quotes a weight of approximately 1,030kg and a naturally aspirated V12 producing just under 700bhp. Those figures might initially appear modest compared with the road-going Valkyrie, but outright horsepower tells only part of the story. The LM's purpose is to deliver a driving experience closely related to that of a modern endurance racing car, with aerodynamic performance, weight and driver confidence playing equally important roles.
Top Gear explores the differences in bodywork, aerodynamic philosophy and power delivery before taking both cars onto the circuit. Particularly interesting is the distinction between the AMR Pro's uncompromising track-only character and the LM's approach to making racing-derived machinery accessible to customers, including those without extensive track experience.
We've followed the Valkyrie's development extensively throughout 2026, including its increasingly competitive performances in the World Endurance Championship and the remarkable sounds of the racing car featured in previous issues. This latest film provides another perspective on the same extraordinary engineering programme, connecting the experience of Aston Martin's racing drivers with the ambitions of its most enthusiastic customers.
There's also something rather wonderful about seeing the Valkyrie story continue to evolve. What began as an ambitious road-car project has become a family of machines encompassing road, track and international endurance racing. Few Aston Martins have ever travelled quite so far from their original concept.
What viewers are saying
The response beneath Top Gear's film has been particularly enthusiastic, with the V12 soundtrack attracting considerable praise. Several viewers singled out the LM's start-up and acceleration sounds, while one enthusiast living near Monza reported being able to hear the cars from several kilometres away.
There was also considerable amusement at the idea of a Vulcan being treated almost as ordinary traffic in the company of these extraordinary machines. Not everyone was entirely complimentary, however. One popular comment questioned whether Aston Martin needed to translate more of its racing-inspired engineering into outright motorsport victories.
Perhaps the most revealing responses came from enthusiasts who had travelled considerable distances simply to hear a Valkyrie racing. It's a reminder that the emotional appeal of these cars extends well beyond their technical specifications.
AUTOTOPNL — 2011 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE S: AN OLD-SCHOOL DRIVING EXPERIENCE
After the extraordinary technology of the Valkyrie LM, our second film takes us back to a rather different Aston Martin era. AutoTopNL has released a review of a modified 2011 V8 Vantage S, providing a welcome reminder of just how appealing these earlier cars remain.
The Vantage S was introduced as a more focused interpretation of Aston Martin's compact sports car, with its 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8, revised suspension and seven-speed Sportshift II automated manual transmission. It represented an important development of the original V8 Vantage, sharpening the driving experience without losing the elegance and everyday usability that made the model so appealing.
The example featured in this film has undergone several modifications, including changes to the engine's intake and electronic management, alongside removal of the secondary catalytic converters. The transmission and clutch arrangement has also received attention, something particularly relevant to owners familiar with the sometimes divisive characteristics of Aston Martin's Sportshift gearboxes.
AutoTopNL's Max examines the car before taking it onto the road and German autobahn, where the naturally aspirated V8 soundtrack becomes one of the principal attractions.
There's something wonderfully mechanical about the way these cars deliver their performance, particularly when compared with today's increasingly sophisticated turbocharged and hybrid alternatives. For regular FTP readers, this is familiar territory. Our Aston Martin Buyers Guides explore the importance of understanding individual specifications, transmission characteristics and maintenance history when considering an earlier Vantage. The modifications featured here also provide a useful reminder that two apparently similar cars can offer quite different driving experiences.
It's particularly appropriate to revisit this generation during our fiftieth edition. The regular Car of the Week series began in Issue 012 with a 2018 V8 Vantage, and we've featured numerous examples from this remarkable Aston Martin family since then. The Vantage S also demonstrates why the earlier cars continue to attract such affection. They might lack the outright performance of the latest models, but their proportions, naturally aspirated engines and relatively traditional interiors offer an experience that remains enormously appealing.
What viewers are saying
The comments beneath AutoTopNL's review are especially interesting because so many focus on the car's character rather than its performance figures.
Several viewers praised the balance between technology and traditional mechanical engineering, with particular affection for the analogue instruments and comparatively uncluttered interior. Others described this generation as among the most attractive Vantages Aston Martin has produced.
The soundtrack attracted considerable attention, including comments from owners who confirmed that the V8 sounds even better in person. One owner of a 2012 V8 Vantage S Roadster expressed their affection for the model, while another driving a Vantage N430 recognised many of the same sensations described in the review.
There was also an interesting observation about the modified clutch and flywheel arrangement, with one viewer suggesting that it appeared to improve the behaviour of the single-clutch automated transmission.
Perhaps the strongest recurring sentiment was nostalgia. Several enthusiasts felt that this generation represented a particularly satisfying balance of beauty, performance and mechanical involvement. It's a perspective many Aston Martin owners will undoubtedly recognise.
ASTON MARTIN UNLEASHED — MONZA 2026: THE TEMPLE OF SPEED
Our third selection brings us back to Monza, although this time the cameras belong to Aston Martin itself. Published on 6th November, Aston Martin UNLEASHED | Monza 2026 celebrates the latest edition of the company's exclusive track-day programme, held at the famous Italian circuit during October.
Monza is an especially appropriate setting for such an experience. Affectionately known as the Temple of Speed, the circuit has been associated with some of motorsport's greatest moments for more than a century. Its long straights, challenging corners and extraordinary atmosphere provide a fitting backdrop for Aston Martin's most performance-focused machinery.
UNLEASHED represents a different side of Aston Martin ownership from the traditional grand touring experience. It's an opportunity for customers to enjoy extraordinary cars in an environment designed to explore their capabilities, supported by the sort of facilities and expertise that a major circuit can provide.
For FTP readers, the film also provides an interesting companion to our coverage of Aston Martin's motorsport activities. We've followed the Valkyrie's progress through the 2026 endurance racing season, while the wider Aston Martin story has increasingly brought together road-car development, customer experiences and international competition.
The film is deliberately cinematic, concentrating on the spectacle and atmosphere of the event rather than presenting a detailed technical review. It's a different approach from Top Gear's engineering-focused Valkyrie feature, but the two complement one another rather well.
What viewers are saying
The reaction beneath Aston Martin's film has been overwhelmingly positive, with considerable praise for the cars, their appearance and the quality of the cinematography. One viewer described the production as "absolute cinema!", while another suggested that the spectacle was their idea of heaven.
There were requests for more onboard footage, particularly featuring the Vulcan and Valkyrie, alongside an observation that the soundtrack might have benefited from less music and more engine noise.
A handful of comments also turned towards Aston Martin's Formula 1 difficulties, reflecting the inevitable comparisons enthusiasts make between the brand's extraordinary road and track machinery and the fortunes of its Grand Prix team.
One particularly detailed contribution argued that the Valkyrie deserves a place among the defining hypercars of its generation, alongside machines such as the Mercedes-AMG One. It's a subjective debate, but an interesting indication of the reputation Aston Martin's extraordinary V12 machine has established among enthusiasts.
Taken together, the responses demonstrate the continuing fascination with Aston Martin's most ambitious creations. Not everyone will ever have the opportunity to drive one of these machines, but the enthusiasm surrounding them remains unmistakable.
THREE FILMS, ONE FAMILIAR APPEAL
What makes this particular selection enjoyable is the contrast between the three films. The Valkyrie LM demonstrates how far Aston Martin's engineers can push the boundaries of performance. The V8 Vantage S reminds us that an engaging driving experience doesn't necessarily require extraordinary power or complexity, while UNLEASHED celebrates the enjoyment of these machines in an environment where their capabilities can be explored.
Different generations, different engineering philosophies and very different ownership experiences, yet all three capture something that has always been central to Aston Martin's appeal.
Perhaps that's why the comments beneath these films are so revealing. Beyond the horsepower figures and lap times, enthusiasts repeatedly return to the same things: design, sound, character and the emotional connection these cars create.
Fifty editions into the FTP Weekly Roundup, it's a fascination we understand rather well. Design, sound, character and that emotional connection also help explain our Car of the Week choices. For Issue 050, those qualities have brought us back to a car that made a particularly strong impression on me earlier this year.
FTP CAR OF THE WEEK — ISSUE 050
FIFTY CARS, ONE EXTRAORDINARY FINALE — THE ASTON MARTIN DB4 GT CONTINUATION
For fifty editions of the FTP Weekly Roundup, our Car of the Week has celebrated the extraordinary variety of Aston Martins available to enthusiasts and collectors. From beautifully preserved classics to modern performance machines, each selection has offered something different. For our fiftieth edition, however, we wanted something that would feel particularly special.
Our choice is this magnificent 2017 Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation, currently advertised by Heritage Classic in London for £725,000. Finished in an elegant silver-grey with a black interior, this right-hand-drive example has covered just 216 miles and represents one of the most fascinating chapters in Aston Martin's modern history.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
The original DB4 GT, introduced in 1959, was developed as a shorter, lighter and more powerful interpretation of the DB4, created with competition firmly in mind. Its combination of beautiful styling and formidable performance helped establish it among Aston Martin's most desirable sporting models.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell, UK.
In 2017, almost sixty years after the original DB4 GT made its debut, the team at Aston Martin Works began delivering new ones from the very same premises at Newport Pagnell.
Ten years had passed since the last Vanquish S was completed there. In the intervening years, the Works team had been restoring cars built by their predecessors. Now those same skills were being put to work building 25 new DB4 GTs, each intended for the track and modelled on the eight factory lightweights.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation build, Newport Pagnell.
Each car took around 4,500 hours to build. As on the originals, thin aluminium panels sat over a tubular frame. Digital technology helped the team reproduce each curve accurately, while the final finish was still achieved by hand. One of my favourite details is the chassis numbering.
The last original DB4 GT ordered was 0202R, and when production resumed more than half a century later, Aston Martin simply picked up the sequence where it had left off.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation build, Newport Pagnell. Craftsman at work.
Our featured example, chassis DB4GT/0227/R, is particularly interesting. According to Heritage Classic, it's one of only two DB4 GT Continuations registered for road use in the United Kingdom, making it exceptionally unusual even within this exclusive production run.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation
Beneath its beautifully sculpted bonnet sits a 4.2-litre, twin-plug, naturally aspirated straight-six engine, breathing through three Weber carburettors and producing a quoted 331 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Power reaches the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, while independent front suspension, a live rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes preserve much of the original car's mechanical character.
There's something rather wonderful about this approach. In an era increasingly defined by digital technology, electrification and extraordinary performance figures, the DB4 GT Continuation celebrates an entirely different relationship between driver and machine. Its appeal lies not simply in speed, but in the craftsmanship, sound, mechanical involvement and sense of occasion that made Aston Martin's early competition cars so memorable.
A FAMILIAR FACE — AND A FASCINATING PRICE COMPARISON
Image © Fuel the Passion. Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation. RAC Concours, Epsom 2026.
Regular FTP readers may remember that a DB4 GT Continuation was my personal favourite among the extraordinary cars displayed at July's RAC Concours at Woodcote Park, Epsom. I photographed a beautiful green example before it crossed the block at RM Sotheby's auction, subsequently selling for £477,500, as we reported in Weekly Roundup Issue 033.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation. RAC Concours, Epsom 2026.
That particular car, chassis DB4/GT/0213/R, was especially interesting. The eighth of the 25 Continuation models produced, it was the only example specified to recreate the distinctive colour scheme and black grille of Aston Martin's original 1959 DB4 GT prototype, DP199/1. With just 186 miles recorded and a single owner from new, it appeared to have all the ingredients of a highly desirable collector's car.
Yet its final sale price was considerably below the pre-auction estimate of £650,000–£850,000. Now, just four months later, our silver-grey Car of the Week is being advertised for £725,000, a remarkable £247,500 difference.
So, is our silver example really worth almost a quarter of a million pounds more?
As it turns out, the answer isn't quite as straightforward as the headline figures might suggest.
The green car was originally intended for circuit use rather than road registration and had entered the UK under a temporary import bond. Our silver example, by contrast, is already registered for British roads, a potentially significant advantage for an enthusiast wishing to enjoy the car beyond the confines of a racing circuit.
Interestingly, specialist R-Reforged previously developed a road-legal conversion package for the DB4 GT Continuation. Introduced in 2020, the programme involved more than 60 individual modifications, including changes to lighting, exhaust emissions, glazing, electrical systems and safety equipment. The conversion reportedly cost approximately £90,000 including VAT, demonstrating that making one of these remarkable machines road legal was an involved, specialist undertaking.
That prompted us to explore a hypothetical scenario. What if we'd purchased the green car at Epsom and wanted to keep it permanently in the UK, converting it for road use? Allowing £110,000 for a comparable conversion today, together with an illustrative 10% import duty, 20% import VAT and £3,000 in additional expenses, our £477,500 auction purchase could have become a total investment of approximately £743,300.
Surprisingly, that's actually £18,300 more than the asking price of our silver Car of the Week.
Of course, these are estimates rather than confirmed costs. The green car's actual customs position could’ve been considerably more favourable. If no customs duty applied but 20% import VAT remained payable, our hypothetical total would fall to approximately £686,000, making it £39,000 cheaper than the silver example.
There's also an important distinction between the two headline prices. The green car's £477,500 represents an actual auction result, whereas the silver car's £725,000 is an advertised asking price. Whether it achieves that figure remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, the comparison illustrates why two outwardly similar Aston Martins can carry such different valuations. Specification, provenance, road usability and the circumstances of a sale all have a part to play. In this instance, the silver car's existing UK road registration could be one of its most valuable attributes.
A FITTING CHOICE FOR OUR FIFTIETH EDITION
For me, there's something particularly satisfying about returning to the DB4 GT Continuation for our fiftieth Car of the Week. Having admired that green example in person earlier this year, it's a car that has remained firmly in my thoughts.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
Across fifty editions, we've encountered Aston Martins representing very different generations, ambitions and interpretations of the marque. Yet the thread connecting them remains remarkably consistent: beautiful design, engineering ambition and the ability to stir something emotional in those fortunate enough to experience them.
The DB4 GT Continuation brings those qualities together in one extraordinary machine. A car built in 2017, inspired by 1959, and carrying a heritage that remains as compelling today as it was more than sixty years ago.
Whether our silver example ultimately finds a buyer at £725,000 is a question only the market can answer. But as a celebration of Aston Martin's extraordinary history, craftsmanship and enduring appeal, it's difficult to imagine a more appropriate choice for this milestone edition.
Fifty editions. Fifty remarkable Aston Martins. What better way to celebrate?
View the car: https://www.heritageclassic.com/stock/2017-aston-martin-db4-gt-continuation/42
Editor's note: The comparison with the green DB4 GT Continuation is hypothetical. Import charges and conversion costs are illustrative estimates, not confirmed expenditure or quotations. The two vehicles are separate examples, and the auction result should not be interpreted as a directly comparable retail valuation.
Our milestone choice has some wonderful company in the archive. Looking back through the earlier selections, I’ve picked twelve to revisit, although choosing them has been rather harder than finding reasons to admire the cars we’ve left out.
FTP Car of the Week · Issue 050 Special
So many lovely Astons.
Just twelve places.
Looking back through our Cars of the Week, choosing twelve to revisit was always going to be difficult. These are the cars that, for different reasons, stayed with me: a particular specification, an extraordinary shape, a link with our own story or a fascinating chapter in Aston Martin history.
This isn't a ranking. Every car we've featured earned its place that week, and any of them could easily have joined this selection on a different day. The pleasure is in the variety, from the Cygnet to the Vulcan, with so many wonderful interpretations of Aston Martin in between.
The FTP Final 12 · Presented in original issue order · Historical selections, not confirmation of current availability.
Explore the complete collection Every regular selection from Issue 012 to Issue 049
The idea began in Issue 010 with One Badge, Two Worlds. After an intentional gap in Issue 011, the regular individual selections began in Issue 012. Some editions featured more than one car; each card below represents that week's selection.
A special interlude · Outside the Final 12
The DBR1 that got away.
Our original ambition for Issue 050 was to feature the remarkable DBR1 offered by Tom Hartley Jnr. By the time we came to finalise the choice, it had sold. It still deserves a place in our celebration, even if it can't be our currently advertised Car of the Week.
Sometimes, even when you're only choosing a car to write about, somebody else gets there first.
Issue 050 · The milestone selection
DB4 GT Continuation.
Our fiftieth edition brings us to the DB4 GT Continuation: a particularly fitting meeting of Aston Martin's competition heritage and the craftsmanship involved in bringing a celebrated design to life again.
It feels an appropriate way to close this retrospective, while leaving plenty of room for the next chapter of Car of the Week.
Archive images include illustrative imagery created for Fuel the Passion.
FTP UPDATE
A NEW FILM, A SHORT BREAK AND PLENTY STILL TO COME
Looking back through those cars also brings back memories of the people who’ve helped us understand and appreciate them. Our latest Fuel the Passion film returns to one of the most enjoyable Aston Martin events I attended this summer, with two particularly knowledgeable guides and two very special cars.
NEW ON THE FTP YOUTUBE CHANNEL — TWO EXTRAORDINARY ASTON MARTINS
During Yorkshire Elegance 2026, I had the pleasure of spending time with Paul Spires of Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham, who kindly introduced us to two rather special cars: a DB6 Mk2 Fuel Injection and a V8 Vantage Zagato Volante.
Image © Fuel the Passion. DB6 Mk2 Fuel Injection and a V8 Vantage Zagato Volante. Yorkshire Elegance 2026.
These are two very different Aston Martins, separated by almost two decades of design and engineering development, yet each tells a fascinating story about the marque's history. The opportunity to hear people with such knowledge and enthusiasm explain the cars, their significance and some of the thinking behind them was a real privilege.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Paul Spires of Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham. Yorkshire Elegance 2026.
Rather than simply showing you around these remarkable machines, the film allows Paul and Steve to tell much of the story themselves. It's exactly the sort of opportunity I enjoy most about making films for Fuel the Passion.
Spending time with interesting people, discovering something new and hopefully sharing a little of that experience with fellow enthusiasts.
FIFTY WEEKLY ROUNDUPS — A WINTER BREAK, BUT PLENTY STILL TO COME
Reaching Issue 050 feels like a particularly appropriate moment to reflect on how far we've come over the past year, but also to look ahead and consider what comes next for Fuel the Passion.
The Weekly Roundup has become an important part of FTP. It's encouraged me to explore stories I might otherwise have missed, follow Aston Martin's activities in greater depth and share some fascinating developments from across the marque's world. What began as a relatively simple collection of news has gradually evolved into something much more comprehensive, and I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing it develop.
With that in mind, I've decided to take a winter break from producing the Weekly Roundup, with our next edition, Issue 051 scheduled for Sunday 7th March 2027.
Winter feels like a sensible time to pause. Here in the UK, the car-event calendar becomes considerably quieter, many of the major motorsport championships have concluded, and there are generally fewer gatherings and opportunities to get out and enjoy our cars together. Of course, Aston Martin news doesn't stop simply because the weather turns colder, and neither does international motorsport. The 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series begins this very weekend, and we'll continue following Aston Martin's progress through the winter in our FTP Motorsport Hub.
In fact, there's plenty happening behind the scenes at Fuel the Passion, and plenty for readers to look forward to.
Our Featured Articles will continue, allowing us to explore some of Aston Martin's most fascinating stories in greater depth. We'll also continue reporting significant Aston Martin developments through shorter news features on the FTP homepage, so important announcements won't have to wait for the Weekly Roundup's return.
We're also getting close to publishing our next FTP Aston Martin Buyers Guide, this time focusing on the second-generation Aston Martin Vanquish. As with our existing guides, the intention is to bring together useful research, ownership considerations and practical information for anyone interested in buying or understanding one of these remarkable cars. There are further Buyers Guides in development too.
Motorsport remains another important priority. We're currently designing a new FTP Motorsport Hub for 2027, with the aim of making it easier for visitors to navigate, follow their favourite championships and find the information they're looking for. We're also improving the way the Hub is maintained and updated, helping us keep race reports, results and championship information accessible as the new season develops.
Then there are the films. We've still got some wonderful footage from our 2026 adventures waiting to be edited and shared on the FTP YouTube channel. Taking a break from the Roundup will give us the opportunity to bring those remaining stories to life, alongside exploring new filming opportunities as they arise.
So although the Weekly Roundup is taking a little rest, Fuel the Passion certainly isn't standing still. There will be new articles, films, Buyers Guides, motorsport updates and Aston Martin news to enjoy throughout the winter. Please do keep coming back to see what's new.
We'll also be introducing a countdown on the FTP homepage, marking the days until the Weekly Roundup returns on Sunday 7 March 2027. I'm looking forward to bringing it back, refreshed and ready for another exciting year in the Aston Martin world.
OVER TO YOU — THREE QUESTIONS FOR OUR READERS
Before we take our winter break, I'd really welcome your thoughts. Fifty editions have given us plenty of opportunities to experiment, learn and improve, but the most useful feedback often comes from the people who actually spend time reading and exploring Fuel the Passion.
3 Questions From This Week
Perhaps it's the motorsport reporting, new Aston Martin developments, heritage stories, Car of the Week, Market Watch or the Owners Club updates. Are there subjects we've overlooked, or features you'd particularly like to see continue?
We've introduced reading-time guides, navigation tools, interactive tables and links to related content, but there's always room for improvement. Do you find these features helpful? Is there anything about the presentation, length, layout or navigation that you'd change?
More YouTube films, in-depth Featured Articles, additional Buyers Guides, expanded motorsport coverage, ownership experiences or perhaps something entirely different? I'd be interested to know where you think we should concentrate our efforts.
Please feel free to answer one question, all three, or simply share whatever's on your mind in the comments section at the end of this Roundup. There's no need for lengthy responses, and all constructive suggestions are welcome. Fuel the Passion has always been about sharing an enthusiasm for Aston Martin, and I'd love our readers to help shape what comes next.
To everyone who's followed the Roundup, contributed a suggestion, shared a story or taken the time to leave a thoughtful comment, thank you. Your interest and encouragement have helped shape what it's become, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy everything else we're developing at FTP.
Fifty editions. Five thousand YouTube subscribers. A winter of new projects ahead, and Issue 051 of the Weekly Roundup returning on 7th March 2027.
There's plenty more to come.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
— HERE'S TO THE NEXT CHAPTER
Image © Fuel the Passion. Salon Privé, London 2026.
As I reach the final few paragraphs of Issue 050, I find myself thinking less about the number of editions we've published and more about the people and experiences that have made the journey so enjoyable.
One of the things I've come to appreciate about Aston Martin ownership is how a shared interest in a car, a marque, can lead to something much more meaningful. A conversation at an owners' gathering, a chance meeting at a circuit, or a message from somebody you've never met can develop into a friendship, an unexpected opportunity or simply a lovely exchange between two people who understand why these cars mean so much to us.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Hampton Court Concours 2026 (An FTP Video still to come)
I've been fortunate to experience plenty of those moments, and Fuel the Passion has brought many more of them into my life. Some of the people I now know, the places I've visited and the experiences I've enjoyed might never have happened without that original decision to share my enthusiasm for Aston Martin.
What I particularly love is that we don't all have to agree. Some of us adore the older, more traditional Aston Martins, while others are captivated by the extraordinary technology and performance of the latest models. We have our favourite designs, our preferred engines and, occasionally, some fairly strong opinions about the direction Aston Martin should take!
Yet beneath those differences lies something we recognise in one another. It's difficult to explain precisely what makes an Aston Martin feel so special, but when you meet somebody who shares that enthusiasm, you rarely need to explain very much at all.
Even this week’s unexpected Star Wars announcement brought a little of that feeling into Issue 050, connecting the films and toys I loved as a child with the marque that has introduced me to so many people and experiences as an adult. I’m looking forward to discovering what the partnership brings in the new year, with much the same curiosity that once accompanied a new Star Wars toy on Christmas morning.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda & Airbus Corporation. Used for editorial purposes.
What I hadn't anticipated was quite where that announcement would take us. What began as a wonderfully unexpected connection between two lifelong interests developed into a fascinating exploration of Aston Martin's creativity, its design philosophy and the possibilities that might lie beyond the familiar world of motor cars.
We even found ourselves contemplating what an Aston Martin-inspired spacecraft might look like! Of course, much of that remains speculation, but that's part of the enjoyment of looking beyond a headline and allowing our curiosity to take us somewhere unexpected. In many ways, it's a rather fitting example of what the Weekly Roundup has become over these first fifty editions.
Perhaps that's what I'd most like to take away from these first fifty editions. Not the milestones themselves, lovely though they are, but the connections we've made along the way. The thoughtful comments, the stories you've shared about your own cars, the encouragement and the genuine warmth I've encountered have all reminded me that Fuel the Passion is about people every bit as much as it’s about Aston Martins.
Image © Fuel the Passion. AMOC 90th Anniversary Celebrations 2025, Austria. International Concours.
As we head towards Christmas and the New Year, I suspect many of our Aston Martins, certainly here in the UK, will be settling down for their annual winter hibernation. With temperatures falling, gritters returning to our roads and the prospect of ice and snow, it's often a case of putting the car under its cover, connecting the battery conditioner and waiting for the first signs of spring. Here in Yorkshire, where snow is practically an annual tradition, I know that feeling rather well!
Image © Fuel the Passion. FTP Vantage. New Year’s Day, Surrey, 2026.
But perhaps that's part of the pleasure of owning these cars. Even when they're tucked away in the garage, there's always something to look forward to. The first proper drive after winter, the familiar sound of the engine coming to life, and the prospect of another year of journeys, gatherings and shared experiences.
In the meantime, I hope Christmas brings you the opportunity to slow down a little, enjoy time with family and friends, and make some lovely memories. After all, the most important things in life aren't necessarily the cars we drive or the places we visit, but the people we share those experiences with.
I'll certainly be looking forward to our next chapter together when the Weekly Roundup returns in March. In the meantime, I hope you'll continue to enjoy everything else we're sharing through Fuel the Passion.🙏
Wherever you are, and whatever Aston Martin means to you, I wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
See you on the next one! 👆
Image © Fuel the Passion. A view from the FTP Vantage. New Year’s Day Parade, London 2026.
Kind regards, as always, 💚💛
Dan
Fuel the Passion
Where Every Drive Tells a Story.
THE JOURNEY
CONTINUES.
The Weekly Roundup is taking a winter break, but Fuel the Passion certainly isn't. Keep visiting for Aston Martin news, new articles, films and the developing 2027 Motorsport Hub.
