Ride On-Board With Max Verstappen In The Aston Martin Valkyrie

Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon have taken the wheel of the Aston Martin Valkyrie for the first time, shaking it down at Silverstone next to chief test driver Chris Goodwin
Remote video URL

Three Aston Martin Valkyries have taken to the legendary Silverstone circuit as part of validation and verification tests.

The shakedowns, partly for show but also designed to try to uncover any final gremlins in the high-revving hypercar’s setup, saw Red Bull Racing team drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon take turns in Valkyrie VP1 – the chassis that has already been seen at the 2019 British Grand Prix. You can ride with Max Verstappen in VP1 in the video above.

Ride On-Board With Max Verstappen In The Aston Martin Valkyrie

The two drivers used the experience to give further feedback to Goodwin, who took the first turns in chassis VP2 and VP3 himself. The other ‘celebrity’ drivers on the day were Aston Martin Racing WEC pilots Darren Turner and Alex Lynn.

Eight verification prototypes will be built and subjected to a variety of punishing tests to expose any weaknesses. Each will have slightly different ‘final-spec’ components to allow each to fulfil specific testing and longevity roles.

Ride On-Board With Max Verstappen In The Aston Martin Valkyrie

Having three prototypes in readiness will really speed up the pace of development, said Goodwin at the 17 February event. He said:

“To have three cars now running will see the rate of physical development for this exceptional hypercar increase exponentially. Both Max and Alex were both really positive of the direction that we’re currently taking and could see that the ingredients for an exceptionally high-performing car are already there ready to be tapped.

To have that second opinion and validation doesn’t mean the hard work is done already, but this is a great step on our journey.”

Ride On-Board With Max Verstappen In The Aston Martin Valkyrie

The drivers themselves were full of praise as well. Let’s be honest, though, it’s not going to be a bad car and all of these people are paid to have positive opinions about Red Bull and Aston Martin. Max Verstappen said:

“I was here at Silverstone to watch the first runs of the Aston Martin Valkyrie at the British Grand Prix last year but of course it’s always better to be behind the wheel yourself, and to be one of the first guys to drive an insane car like this was really exciting. It was amazing to get a first taste of it”.

“Of course it’s still in the development phase but you can already feel the pace, which compared to a normal car is… pretty different! The Aston Martin Valkyrie and its levels of downforce are incredible, and it looks super aggressive. It was a lot of fun out there.”

Sponsored Posts

Comments

7heDuke

First Driver to take Lewis`s Crown in the hybrid era 🤔

Rosberg Am I A jOkE tO YoU

02/18/2020 - 12:14 |
22 | 0
Olivier (CT's grammar commie)

In reply to by 7heDuke

Oh yes let the Rosberg memes begin

02/18/2020 - 13:12 |
7 | 0
Robert Gracie

That car just sounds amazing and it looks fast before its even turned a wheel in anger, its going to be something special to see!

02/18/2020 - 12:43 |
6 | 0
5:19.55

Next year it’ll be stroll’s and perez’s car

02/18/2020 - 13:36 |
2 | 0
The TallDutchmen

In reply to by 5:19.55

True, does this mean Max will only be given a Honda NSX next year?

02/18/2020 - 22:39 |
1 | 0
Monty4248

They’re multiplying

02/19/2020 - 16:37 |
1 | 0
Deamonicus |Scale Modeller|

Those upshifts tho……..

Takes for ever

02/23/2020 - 12:20 |
0 | 0