Race and classic pictures

Aston Martin and Adrian Newey go extreme

Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin collaborated last year to produce the game-changing Valkyrie hypercar based on the vision of F1 design guru Adrian Newey.

The two companies are taking the concept a step further with the Aston Martin Valkyrie Pro, a supremely rare beast which shall exist in just 25 examples delivered in 2020.

The AMR Pro will feature an outrageous naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre Cosworth-built V12 engine, the power of which has yet to be disclosed.

The mean machine is engineered to ride on smaller diameter wheels than its road car counter-part in order to allow the car to run with Michelin racing tyres made to the same specification as those used by LMP1 cars in the World Endurance Championship!

"While it is endowed with extraordinary performance, it has always been vitally important to me that the Valkyrie functions well as a true road car, and that naturally comes with some constraints," says Red Bull tech boss Adrian Newey.

"However, with the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro we have the freedom to create an extreme evolution that makes no such concessions.

"While the core elements of the road and track versions are shared, every aspect of the AMR Pro – aerodynamics, chassis, powertrain and weight – has been optimised to significantly extend the performance envelope.

"It offers a level of track performance significantly beyond any previous two seater closed roof car."

Interested? Forget it, all 25 cars have already been sold...

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.