Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has purchased an Aston Martin Class One car that competed in the 2019 DTM season.The Vantage DTM, one of five chassis ever built by R-Motorsport under license from Aston Martin, was purchased by Alonso from engine builder HWA for an undisclosed sum. At Alonso’s request, HWA installed a passenger seat before the car was sold to him.
This was a standard conversion process, where the size of the fuel tank was reduced to allow for taxi travel.“Fernando knew the cars were for sale and he contacted us,” Martin Marx, chief executive of HWA, told Motorsport.com’s sister publication, Motorsport-Total.com. The Vantage DTM was officially handed over to Alonso at a major event organized by his sponsor at the Jarama circuit, near Madrid, in September, which was attended by more than 2,000 people.Daniel Juncadella, who was part of R-Motorsport’s 2019 DTM campaign, was also present on the occasion and provided Alonso with some inside information on the car. Alonso then took the Vantage to Aragon for a proper test last month, just weeks after taking Aston Martin to fifth place in the 2023 F1 constructors’ standings. A number of family and friends were invited to attend to the event and join him as a passenger. as he completed several laps of the 5.3km circuit.Also among those present were six-time MotoGP champion and compatriot Marc Marquez, who got behind the wheel of Alonso’s Vantage to gain further experience with prototype cars. Juncadella also accompanied Alonso to the test and revealed that the 42-year-old enjoyed his first real experience behind the wheel of the 650 hp Vantage.“He said he was impressed with the car,” Juncadella told Motorsport-Total.com. “The performance was better than expected for him.“Fernando is used to a lot of power and good braking. But he said the car was pretty direct. He expected to have to turn the wheel harder.“It’s a little different today with the GT3 cars, but the prototypes were performance cars. Fernando loves any form of racing – he would do anything if there was competition and a challenge.Juncadella believes that the fact that the Vantage DTM could be easily modified played a role in Alonso’s decision to buy the car.”There’s the two-seater Formula 1, but if you look at all the cars in the world that you can use as a taxi, then the DTM Class 1 car is the best you can get for the passenger. “I can really feel what happens in a real race car,” he said.Even though the Vantage DTM only competed in this category for a single season – without any notable results – it can be assumed that racing history didn’t mean much to Alonso. The fact that Alonso was interested in buying a DTM car from the days of the series’ beloved Class One may have something to do with the conversation he had with then boss Gerhard Berg ard about a guest trip. Furthermore, Aston Martin’s F1 team boss, Mike Krack, had previously worked on BMW’s M4 Class One car during his time with the Bavarian manufacturer.A total of five Vantage DTM cars were built by R-Motorsport, four for competition and another for testing purposes.
Alonso purchased what was originally used as a test car by R-Motorsport/Aston Martin, instead of the chassis used by his compatriot Juncadella.Three of the five chassis have been sold, the other two are still waiting for a new owner. “After the sale to Fernando, who drives this car and clearly enjoys it, interest in the two vehicles still available has increased significantly,” said Gordian von Schoning, member of the HWA board of directors.“For us it is also the ideal scenario if the car is in good hands and can still be driven.”The Vantage DTM isn’t the only new bike Alonso purchased at the end of last year. The Spaniard also got his hands on a new cross kart, built by Life Live, a company founded by WRC star Thierry Neuville’s brother, Yannick.
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