Now we know what scratches the itch for a two-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.
For most car lovers, it doesn’t take much to get the heart rate up; anything north of 400 horsepower, a clear stretch of road, and the right soundtrack will do the trick. But what about the drivers who spend their working lives north of 200 mph, braking impossibly late and living on the limit every other weekend? When that level of speed is your day job, it brings up the question: what, if anything, still scratches the itch for someone lucky enough to call themselves a Formula 1 driver? Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver Fernando Alonso gave us all a peek into what delivers that thrill for him, and it takes shape as Aston Martin’s V12-powered Valiant. Fernando took to Instagram yesterday to share photos of his casual Sunday drive through the hills of Monaco in his $2.5 million limited-production hypercar.
The Valiant exists because even Aston Martin understands that some drivers want more than horsepower and modern tech; they want something raw, loud, and visceral. It’s a car built to feel closer to the company’s racing soul, stripping things back and turning the volume up for the kind of drivers, like Fernando Alonso, who still crave a challenge behind the wheel. With only 38 examples built for the world, Alonso’s stands out with a sinister exposed carbon finish that reveals its ultra-lightweight DNA and focus on delivering an unwavering driving experience. One of the most notable characteristics of his configuration has to be the aero-style monoblock wheels, adding a contemporary touch that blends with the body instead of stealing the show. The Instagram post even gave us a look inside where Aston Martin displays its exposed six-speed manual transmission like a work of art in a museum, offering the sounds and feels that check off all the boxes for a truly analog experience.
At the heart of the Aston Martin Valiant is a twin-turbocharged 5.2L V12, the kind of engine that feels increasingly rare, and increasingly special, by the day. It sends 745 horsepower and 753 lb-ft of torque straight to the rear wheels through a proper six-speed manual gearbox, a choice that says everything about what this car is trying to be. There’s no electrification or trickery, just massive power, a clutch pedal, and the expectation that the driver is fully engaged. The result is a sub-three-second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed well north of 200 mph, delivered in a package that is less of a modern supercar and more like a last stand for old-school Aston Martin.
Source: @fernandoalo_oficial Instagram
