Aston Martin builds top-level home simulator for Vettel

©AstonMartin

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Aston Martin's F1 engineers took it upon themselves to build a home simulator for Sebastian Vettel, a device based on elements from the team's AMR21.

All F1 teams house or have access to state-of-the-art simulators to conduct their development work or for their simulator drivers to help with set-up work on race weekends.

But when a season is in full swing a driver might also feel the need to sample a set-up in the sim or get acquainted with a new circuit or refresh his knowledge of an upcoming track.

However, with logistics often imposing time constraints on drivers during the year, a home simulator can prove to be a useful tool to a driver seeking to put in a few hours of driving ahead of an event.

©AstonMartin

Aston Martin put Vettel's home sim project on its rails in April 2021, with Senior Garage Equipment Designer Matt Tomalin overseeing the hardware's design using CAD tools. And it was delivered to Vettel's home in Switzerland in September of last year.

Built around the AMR21's basic cockpit, it is fitted with Seb's race seat, headrest and seatbelts, and features three wide screens that offer quasi panoramic viewing.

Read also: Vettel wishes there was no need for 'No War' helmet

"Leading simulator designer and manufacturer Pro Sim also supported the team in the provision of the steering wheel feedback system, and in the calibration of a braking system that mimics an F1 car's set-up," says Aston Martin.

"AMF1 and Pro Sim have combined to create a truly unique simulator.

"While drivers across the grid have access to their own, Sebastian's takes the rare step of replicating the driver cockpit experience."

From now on, Vettel no longer needs to indulge in a costly and time-consuming private flight to Aston's base at Silverstone to prepare for a race in his team's simulator.

The four-time world champion can grind away in the sim from the comfort of his home, demonstrating, as Aston says, "his commitment to extracting every bit of performance he can".

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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.