#ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE DRIVER#

It eschews the retractable hardtops that have recently become so fashionable in favor of a conventional folding fabric roof. The Volante weighs 130 more pounds than the coupe. And with the top down, there is more opportunity to savor the aural delights of that mighty V-12 engine. On bad road surfaces there is some murmuring through the steering, but it's not enough to spoil the driving experience. So it doesn't have the cowl shake or creaks and groans that afflict many convertibles. The VH structure of bonded aluminum sheet and extrusions needed few changes for the DB9 Volante that, although it doesn't have the same torsional stiffness as the coupe, suffers much less from losing its head than most of its competitors. The beautiful DB9 coupe-featured in our supercar comparison last month-has been around for a year now, and it's time for it to be joined by the DB9 Volante. Aston knows that, so when it developed its VH platform-the architecture that will eventually be used for its three model lines-the plan was for closed and open versions with a minimum of modifications. We can argue that the fixed-roof coupe, with an inevitably stiffer body shell, is lighter, faster, and more rewarding to drive-and $13,500 cheaper-but buyers of automotive exotica, especially in the United States, always veer toward a convertible. The answer is an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, the convertible version of one of the world's loveliest cars.

#ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE DRIVER#

“We are delighted that he is joining us as a member of our Driver Development Programme, and we look forward to welcoming him as part of our team in Abu Dhabi this November.What could be better-more beautiful, more attention-grabbing, more perfect for a jet-set lifestyle-than an Aston Martin DB9? The 2022 campaign was Drugovich’s third season in F2, and his second with MP Motorsport.Īston Martin team boss Mike Krack added: “Felipe has shown incredible talent, determination, and consistency to win this year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship – I particularly remember his fantastic Sprint and Feature victories at Barcelona in May, which were hugely impressive. “I hope that will give me an opportunity to race in Formula 1 in the future.” “For me, 2023 will be a learning curve: I will be working with the F1 team, but my primary goal is to learn and develop as a driver. “Winning in Formula 2 has long been regarded as the best possible launchpad into a career in Formula 1, and I see my role at AMF1 as giving me all the tools to take that crucial next step.

Opinion: The writing is on the wall for Latifi Verstappen: Boos are not going to spoil my day “Becoming a member of the AMF1 Driver Development Programme is a fantastic opportunity for me – and only adds to what has been an extremely enjoyable and successful 2022 season,” Drugovich said.

He will also get behind the AMR22 car at the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit, and next year, will undertake an extensive testing programme in the 2021 Aston Martin car. Last weekend, Drugovich was crowned the Formula 2 champion with three races to spare in the 2022 season.Īs part of his new role, Drugovich will act as a reserve driver for the Silverstone-based squad, and is also set to take part in FP1 later this year in Abu Dhabi. The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has confirmed that it has signed Felipe Drugovich to its newly-created Driver Development Programme.

Aston martin db9 volante