Week Ending 1st February 2026

Editor’s Introduction – Dan, Fuel the Passion

FTP Picture: AMOC Annual Awards, The Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield - the impressive Awards table

This has been one of those weeks that neatly sums up why Fuel the Passion exists in the first place. Modern motorsport success, long-term Formula One ambition, breathtaking bespoke craftsmanship and, on a personal level, a moment that genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

On Saturday 31 January, I attended the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Annual Awards Reception and Lunch at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, having been honoured with the Roger Thornton-Brown Trophy for using IT to enhance member benefit and the wider Aston Martin world.

Returning from the AMOC Awards Ceremony, it felt like one of those rare moments worth properly pausing for. It was a wonderfully put-together event, and seeing the line-up of beautifully crafted trophies laid out, each representing time, effort and shared enthusiasm, was genuinely impressive. To be there, and to receive an award, was a real privilege.

It was also particularly pleasing to see how strongly Aston Martin Owners Club members from Area 06 Yorkshire featured on the day. Several prestigious awards were won by Yorkshire members, reflecting the energy and commitment within the area, including recognition for our Area Representative, Steven Gash, who does such a fantastic job coordinating and supporting the region. But congratulations go to everyone across the wider AMOC family who was recognised, it felt very much like a collective celebration of a strong year for the Club.

During the citation for my own award, the Club very kindly referenced my contribution to the AMOC’s success at the **International Historic Motoring Awards 2025**, where the Club was named **Club of the Year**.

In particular, it acknowledged the films I produced to help support the Club’s entry and to tell its story to a wider audience.

That recognition meant a great deal, not least because it reflects exactly what Fuel the Passion has always set out to do: share knowledge, protect the historical record, and connect people through honest, thoughtful storytelling.

It was a special moment to reflect on the past twelve months as part of the AMOC community.

The award feels humbling, not just personally, but as recognition of a collective effort and a shared passion. With that said, let’s get into this week’s Aston Martin story.

Vantage GT3: Daytona Delivers Again

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Aston Martin’s 2026 motorsport season began in emphatic style at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the Vantage GT3 secured a superb double-podium finish in the GTD class.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Partner teams Magnus Racing and The Heart of Racing Team were in contention right to the final moments of the 24-hour classic, with Nicki Thiim finishing just **1.4 seconds** shy of a class victory after a dramatic final hour. Crucially, all three Vantage GT3s that started the race finished inside the top ten, a powerful statement of durability and consistency.

This marked Vantage’s sixth Daytona podium in five years, reinforcing its status as Aston Martin’s most successful modern racing car. Quietly, methodically, it continues to deliver.

Formula One: AMR26 Takes Its First Steps

Barcelona marked a quietly significant moment for the Aston Martin Formula One Team, as the all-new AMR26 finally took to the circuit for its first shakedown laps. Although the team missed the opening days of running, simply seeing the car emerge from the garage felt like a milestone in itself.

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

Notably, the AMR26 did not appear in its new 2026 Formula One livery or typical Aston Martin Podium Green racing colours (as shown above). Instead, the car ran in an understated all-black test scheme, carrying only a minimal Aston Martin wordmark on its flanks. It was a deliberate, almost old-school approach, functional, discreet, and entirely focused on data rather than presentation. The official 2026 livery will be revealed on 9 February 2026, ahead of the season’s next phase of testing.

Team Principal Mike Krack described the first run as an “emotional” moment, and it’s easy to understand why. This is the first Aston Martin Formula One car designed from the ground up around the new regulations, shaped by new facilities, new processes, and the influence of Adrian Newey. Early running was never about lap times or comparisons. The focus was on systems checks, reliability and initial correlation, and in that respect, the AMR26’s debut achieved exactly what it needed to.

A notable technical detail also emerged this week: the AMR26 features a double-pushrod suspension layout, aligning Aston Martin with the dominant design trend for 2026. It feels like a carefully judged decision, prioritising understanding and aerodynamic flexibility over headline-grabbing novelty.

Aston Martin Lagonda: Stockwatch

Aston Martin Lagonda closed at 61.50 GBX on Friday 30 January 2026, a figure that starkly illustrates just how far the company’s share price has travelled since its 2018 flotation. Set against the original IPO price of £19.00 (1,900 GBX), the current level represents a decline of 96.76%, even allowing for the complexities introduced by subsequent stock splits and restructuring.

In simple terms, this chart opposite reflects a company that has struggled to rebuild confidence over the past year. There have been moments of optimism, but unfortunately no sustained upward momentum.

The recent stability may hint at a floor forming, but it also underlines how far Aston Martin Lagonda remains from reclaiming the valuations seen even twelve months ago.

Looking at the short-term picture, the past three weeks show a share price trading within a relatively tight, but still uneasy, range. From 63.50 GBX in mid-January, the price has gradually eased back to 61.50 GBX, suggesting a degree of consolidation around the low-60p mark rather than any decisive change in direction. That narrow movement hints at tentative stabilisation, but it also underlines how far sentiment has cooled compared with the start of the year.

Placed in a broader historical context, the contrast is sobering. When Aston Martin arrived on the London Stock Exchange in October 2018, the business carried a valuation of around £4.33 billion. By late January 2026, market capitalisation has fallen to approximately £622.66 million. While headline comparisons are complicated by structural changes, the underlying reality is clear: equity value has been heavily eroded over time.

The stock is currently trading close to its 52-week low of 56.00 GBX, reached in April 2025. Although there have been rallies, including a move as high as 122.00 GBX earlier in 2025, persistent debt, the challenge of achieving consistent profitability, and broader market caution continue to weigh on investor confidence.

From an FTP perspective, this is a reminder that Aston Martin’s story remains a tale of two narratives running in parallel. On the one hand, the brand is delivering on track, investing for the future, and producing cars that continue to resonate deeply with owners and enthusiasts. On the other, the financial recovery remains fragile and incomplete. For now, the share price reflects that tension, a company rich in heritage and ambition, still searching for durable stability in the markets.

(Figures quoted at market close, Friday 30 January 2026.)

Vanquish: A One-Off Wave Edition for a Worthy Cause

At the other end of the Aston Martin spectrum, the brand unveiled one of the most evocative modern commissions we’ve seen in some time: the Vanquish Volante Wave Edition.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Created as a **one-of-one** by Q by Aston Martin in collaboration with Aston Martin Naples, the Wave Edition draws inspiration from Florida’s coastline and will be auctioned at the Naples Winter Wine Festival to benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation.

Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Finished in Iridescent Sapphire with bespoke wave-inspired detailing throughout, it’s a reminder of what Aston Martin does so well at the very top end, combining performance, artistry and genuine purpose.

It’s dramatic, but thoughtful. Exclusive, yet meaningful and I hope it raises a lot of money for the chosen charity.

Market Reality: DB11 V12 for Hot-Hatch Money

There are moments in the used-car market that make you stop and reframe what value really means. The Aston Martin DB11 sits firmly in that category today. Once the flagship of Aston Martin’s bold ‘Second Century’ plan, it can now be bought for a fraction of its original price, yet it has lost none of the significance that made it so important when new.

Left: FTP Picture taken during Wentworth Woodhouse Driveout 2025

When the DB11 was unveiled at the **Geneva Motor Show** in March 2016, it represented far more than a model change. Aston Martin had been building the DB9 for twelve years, and while that car aged gracefully, it was undeniably rooted in an earlier era. Sales were softening, profits were under pressure, and the brand needed a decisive step forward. The DB11 was that step.

This was the first Aston Martin conceived entirely under the ‘Second Century’ banner. It introduced a new bonded aluminium architecture, electric power steering, torque vectoring by braking and a far more sophisticated rear suspension layout. At launch, there was no V8 option, no lower rung to the ladder. The DB11 arrived exclusively with a new 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 600bhp, a statement of intent if ever there was one. In the UK, the on-the-road price sat at around £155,000 before options, and most cars left the showroom comfortably north of that figure.

The reaction from the motoring press was immediate and, in many cases, glowing. Reviewers understood what Aston Martin was trying to achieve. This wasn’t a sharp-edged sports car; it was a true modern GT. Autocar went as far as naming it a Game Changer at its 2017 Awards and placing it among its top five cars of the year. Others praised the ride quality, the refinement, and the sheer effortlessness of the V12 on the road. The DB11 felt fast without being frantic, special without being intimidating, very much in keeping with the DB lineage that began under David Brown in the late 1940s.

Criticism, where it existed, was consistent rather than damning. Even in 2016, the infotainment system felt behind the curve, and early cars were said to err on the side of softness in their chassis tuning, with steering that some felt was over-assisted. Aston Martin listened. Within a year, the lighter, sharper V8 arrived, and many of those improvements would later be applied to the V12 as well.

Fast-forward to 2026 and the picture has changed dramatically, at least in financial terms. Early DB11 V12s are now appearing at around £55,000. That’s roughly a third of their original list price, and similar money to cars that offer a fraction of the performance, presence or sense of occasion. It’s a startling contrast, and one that says more about market trends and modern depreciation, especially concerning some car models.

For buyers tempted by the headline, reality still matters. The V12 is fundamentally a robust engine, rooted in a long-developed architecture, and catastrophic failures are rare. The ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox is equally well proven. Where ownership requires care is in condition, history and understanding the car’s known weak spots. Electronics are the most common talking point, with steering column motors, dashboard sensors and control panels featuring regularly in owner discussions, though many were rectified under warranty or goodwill, making a well-documented repair history a reassuring sign rather than a concern.

Interior condition is another area to approach with a careful eye. The cabin materials are generally excellent, but some early cars suffered dashboard leather shrinkage if left in strong sunlight. Body trim items, such as boot struts, roof strakes and the distinctive aeroblade spoiler, are also worth checking closely. None of this is unusual for a complex, low-volume GT, but it reinforces the importance of buying on condition and history rather than mileage alone.

Viewed through an FTP lens, the DB11 V12 now occupies a fascinating place in Aston Martin history. It was the car that dragged the company into a new era, technically, stylistically and philosophically. Today, it offers a level of performance, craftsmanship and heritage that feels wildly disproportionate to its current asking price. Depreciation may yet continue, particularly with the DB12 firmly established, but that shouldn’t obscure what the DB11 represents.

Bought wisely, with eyes open and expectations grounded, a DB11 V12 isn’t just a bargain. It’s a reminder that some of the most meaningful modern Astons are now hiding in plain sight, waiting for owners who understand what they’re really getting.

Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC): Looking Ahead — A Full and Varied 2026 on the Horizon

As the new year settles in, the Aston Martin Owners Club is already deep into planning what promises to be a rich, varied and thoughtfully curated events calendar for 2026. Alongside many familiar and much-loved fixtures, there is a clear sense that the Club is continuing to broaden its offering, combining driving, heritage, motorsport and social experiences in a way that reflects how members actually enjoy their cars.

FTP Picture: Aston Martin Owners Club Festival 2025 - Celebrating the Vantage at the British Motor Museum

One of the standout dates already confirmed is the Aston Martin Owners Club Festival, which returns to the British Motor Museum in June 2026. Following the success of last year’s Vantage Celebration, the Club, working in conjunction with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and its partners, has once again secured Gaydon as the setting for a full-scale celebration of the marque. If you haven’t seen the Fuel the Passion video celebrating the Vantage last year, just click on the video below and we’ll take you straight there!

Displays are planned to span every era of Aston Martin production, with a particularly timely focus on the Vanquish, marking 25 years since the name was first applied to Aston Martin’s landmark flagship. From the Newport Pagnell-built original, through its second-generation return, to today’s halo model, the Vanquish story will be given the space it deserves.

That Festival weekend will begin a day earlier, with the Heritage Trust hosting the David Brown Dinner on Saturday 20 June 2026, offering a more formal and reflective prelude to Sunday’s celebrations. Further details will follow, but it promises to be a fitting companion event rooted firmly in Aston Martin’s post-war history.

Left: FTP picture, Alnwick Castle during my visit to Northumberland in 2025

Earlier in the summer, attention turns north for the **AMOC Spring Weekend at Alnwick Castle**, scheduled for **early June 2026**. Final arrangements are currently being completed, with bookings due to open shortly, but the location alone makes this one to watch. **Alnwick Castle** provides a spectacular backdrop, and members are actively encouraged to treat the journey as part of the experience.

Northumberland offers some of the UK’s most rewarding and least congested driving roads, with historic castles, dramatic coastline, and rich Roman heritage, including Hadrian’s Wall and sites such as Vindolanda, all within comfortable reach for those extending their stay. I took the FTP Vantage and explored some of Northumberland last year. If you want to see that video, just click below, and we’ll take you straight there!

On the motorsport front, the Donington Historic Festival returns from 1–3 May 2026, bringing three days of world-class historic racing. While AMOC HQ will not have a physical presence at Donington this year, the Club has secured a valuable benefit for members, including a 50% discounts, making it an attractive early-season outing for those keen to combine Aston Martin ownership with historic motorsport.

Looking beyond the UK, one of the most exciting announcements for 2026 is an exclusive AMOC Belgian Classic Tour, organised in liaison with Backwater Classic Car Tours and scheduled for October 2026. Strictly limited to just 14 Aston Martins, this fully hosted tour blends exceptional driving roads with genuine motorsport access. A behind-the-scenes visit to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps forms the centrepiece, including access to race control, the podium, and the rare opportunity to complete a parade lap of Spa in your own Aston Martin. Beyond the circuit, the itinerary embraces classic European touring, with scenic drives to Chimay, Dinant and a boat trip along the River Meuse. Accommodation throughout will be at the Quartier Latin Hotel, a four-star hotel set within an 18th-century Jesuit church, complete with spa facilities. Evening dinners, wine and coffee are included, and daily briefings and detailed roadbooks ensure that the experience is as relaxed as it is memorable.

Right Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.

Finally, looking further into the summer, both the **24 Hours of Le Mans** and the **Le Mans Classic** return in June and July respectively.
While AMOC will not be running formal events at Le Mans this year, the Club is working with trusted specialist suppliers who will be present, with further guidance to follow for members planning trips to one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.

Taken together, these early announcements paint a clear picture of the AMOC’s direction for 2026: a calendar that values choice, quality and experience over sheer quantity. Whether it’s castles in Northumberland, classics at Donington, Spa-Francorchamps in convoy, or a summer’s day at Gaydon surrounded by Aston Martins of every era, the year ahead offers plenty to look forward to, and plenty of reasons to get these cars out on the road and used as they were always intended!

Left: FTP Picture of the FTP Vantage ‘out and about’ in 2025

Alongside the national calendar, it’s also clear that **local AMOC areas** are equally busy, quietly putting together a wide range of smaller, member-led drives and social weekends that often form the backbone of Club life. On a personal note, I’ll be joining fellow members from **Aston Martin Owners Club Yorkshire** for a **spring drive to the Cotswolds**, centred around a weekend stay.

The plan blends relaxed touring with the freedom to explore, including an optional drive taking in Aston Martin heritage at Gaydon, a visit to the AMHT museum, and a distinctly British detour through Clarkson country, with Diddly Squat Farm and the Farmer’s Dog pub featuring along the route.

As with many of these regional events, the structure is deliberately light-touch shared dinners, scenic roads, and plenty of flexibility for members to tailor the weekend to their own interests, whether that’s historic houses, aviation museums, or simply enjoying the drive. It’s exactly this kind of locally organised activity that gives the AMOC calendar its depth, offering opportunities to use the cars as intended while strengthening the connections that sit at the heart of the Club.

If you’re already a member, it’s well worth reconnecting with your local Area team to see what’s being planned closer to home, there’s often far more going on than you might realise.

And if you’re not currently a member but are curious to learn more about the Club, its events, or what involvement looks like day-to-day, details on joining the Aston Martin Owners Club can be found HERE.

From the AMHT Archive: Ted Cutting in Conversation

The Aston Martin Heritage Trust has released a truly special podcast episode drawn from a rare archive recording made in 1992, capturing an extended conversation with Ted Cutting, one of the most influential engineers in Aston Martin’s competition history.

Interviewed by respected motoring author Jonathan Wood, Cutting reflects on his career at Aston Martin Lagonda between 1955 and 1963, a formative period that encompassed the DB3, DB3S, DBR1 and DBR4, alongside work on the Lagonda V12 programme and key road car developments.

What makes this recording so compelling is its intimacy. Ted speaks candidly about how he joined Aston Martin, the personalities he worked alongside, including John Wyer, Claude Hill, Frank Feeley and David Brown and the decisions that shaped one of the marque’s golden eras. Originally captured on cassette and never intended for broadcast, the recording has been carefully restored, preserving both its character and its historical value.

Presented across two episodes, this first part focuses on Ted’s early career and his arrival at Aston Martin. It’s a rare chance to hear history spoken by someone who lived it, and well worth setting aside the time to listen (link below);

🔗 https://amht.org.uk/podcast/episode-53-ted-cutting-in-conversation-1992-part-one/

Making the Tools to Make the Car

FTP Picture: Taken during my 2025 visit to the AMHT Museum - Phil Davey’s original tool chest

Heritage isn’t only about the cars themselves, it’s about the people and the skills that made them possible. A recent article on the AMHT website, Making the Tools to Make the Car, tells exactly that story, focusing on the working lives behind the scenes at Newport Pagnell. Written by Clare Hirst, Collections Manager at the Aston Martin Heritage Trust, it traces the craft traditions that defined Aston Martin Works after David Brown acquired the Tickford works in the mid-1950s and moved production to Newport Pagnell.

Today, Phil Davey’s original tool chest is preserved by the AMHT, donated by his family after his death. Among the cars and engines, these modest, handmade tools tell a powerful story: that Aston Martin’s reputation was built not just on design or performance, but on the quiet excellence of the craftsmen and apprentices who shaped each car by hand. It’s a beautifully written reminder of where the marque’s values were forged, and why they still matter. Click on the link below and we’ll take you straight there;

🔗 https://amht.org.uk/making-the-tools-to-make-the-car/
Written by Clare Hirst, AMHT Collections Manager.

Ownership Reality: Preparing the FTP Vantage for the Season Ahead

FTP Picture: FTP Vantage at Aston Martin, Leeds

As we edge closer to spring and the driving season beyond, my own FTP Vantage is booked in for its next service at the end of February, and as with previous visits I’ll be filming the process for those who follow the ongoing Maintenance Log and are interested in the real-world costs of keeping a modern Aston Martin on the road.

One message that particularly caught my attention this week was an email that came from McGurk Performance Cars, reminding owners that now is the ideal time to address any issues before the sunshine returns.

Of particular interest was their confirmation that they now offer a repair solution for exhaust valve failure, a known weak point on some modern Aston Martins. It’s something I’ve experienced first-hand; while my own FTP Vantage was still under warranty, the rear exhaust actuator failed and the correct course of action at the time was a full back-box replacement, carried out by Aston Martin Leeds. That approach made complete sense within the warranty framework, where replacement rather than repair is often the most appropriate and risk-free solution for both customer and manufacturer.

Now that the car sits outside warranty, the ownership landscape naturally changes. This is where experienced independent specialists can offer an alternative perspective, particularly when a repair-led solution is viable and more economical than wholesale replacement. For owners running cars beyond the safety net of manufacturer warranty, having reputable options like McGurk available, alongside the continued support of Aston Martin main dealers, simply broadens the toolkit. McGurk cater for all Aston Martin models and are happy to discuss individual cases directly with owners, providing another sensible route for long-term ownership without diminishing the vital role that the dealer network continues to play.

Left Image: FTP Picture, Nick fitting my original PPF

Alongside servicing, I’ll also be arranging for the FTP Vantage to return to Nick for a hopefully straight forward application of PPF to the new headlight, once the weather improves, something that feels sensible given we currently have a layer of snow in my neck of the woods.
It’s all part of the same ownership reality: enjoying these cars means planning ahead, protecting them properly, and understanding the options available once the safety net of warranty has gone.

FTP Final Thoughts

This week has felt like a neatly balanced snapshot of Aston Martin as it stands today. There have been tangible highs, Vantage delivering again on one of the world’s biggest endurance stages, and the AMR26 quietly beginning its journey without fanfare, alongside more thoughtful reflections on ownership, market reality and the longer road still ahead. The DB11 story, in particular, underlines how quickly yesterday’s flagship becomes today’s considered purchase, and why informed, honest discussion matters just as much as excitement.

What’s perhaps been most reassuring is how strongly heritage and community continue to underpin everything else. From AMOC events taking shape across the UK and Europe, to the AMHT’s careful preservation of voices, tools and lived experience, there’s a sense of continuity that runs deeper than headlines or share prices. As ever, Fuel the Passion sits somewhere in the middle, enjoying the cars, questioning the realities, and documenting the journey as it unfolds.

I’d be really interested to hear what stood out for you this week, from the DB11 market and the AMR26’s early running, to the heritage stories that help shape Aston Martin’s identity. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below; I always enjoy reading them and value the discussion they spark.

Thank you for reading, and for sharing the road ahead.

Dan - Fuel the Passion

Winner of the 2025 AMOC Roger Thornton-Brown Trophy (It’s like having an OBE! 😁)

Fuel the Passion (FTP) - Weekly Roundup

Fuel the Passion (FTP) – Weekly Roundup