I’ve always been a birthday person; largely because my late father used to spoil us on our special day. On the day I will turn 30, my wife Quennie and I planned a simple day together and dinner at Ipponyari.
But two weeks before my birthday, I received an invite from our editor-in-chief, Dinzo, asking me if I wanted to spend my birthday in London. Aramco Stations Philippines just sent an invite for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 experience in the UK.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
There was going to be a visit to the Silverstone Museum, an afternoon at an F1 arcade, karting sessions, a factory tour, and a chance to drive both the Aston Martin Vantage and the DBX707. So this is what winning the lottery feels like, I thought.
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PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
This was my first time flying out of Asia, and despite the exhaustion from two long flights, seeing London from above made me forget how tired I was. Aramco Stations representatives welcomed me at the airport before we headed to Silverstone Circuit. Seeing the signs leading to the iconic track made everything feel surreal.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
The biggest surprise was our hotel room. We had a balcony overlooking Silverstone’s main straight (pictured above). I could have spent the entire week watching and shooting cars that drove by, but Aramco had other plans for us.
F1 Arcade and a quick trip to Shakespeare’s birthplace
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Our first stop was the F1 Arcade in Birmingham, and it was unlike any sports bar I’ve ever been to before. With around 80 F1 simulators and an atmosphere that felt like an actual Grand Prix, the place was filled with adrenaline. It was fun racing wheel-to-wheel with everyone in our group, even if our races were happening on the screens rather than on the actual circuit. It was also a great opportunity to get to meet new friends from Chile and Saudi Arabia while watching the Singapore Grand Prix, cheering for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Before heading back to our hotel, our host surprised us with a quick trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace. With its quiet streets and beautifully preserved historic buildings, the place felt like the quintessential English town.
Silverstone Museum
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Our day began with a quick visit to the Silverstone Museum. Considering that Silverstone is one of the most iconic racetracks in motorsport history, I had high expectations and the museum did not disappoint.
Before it became the racing circuit racers adore, Silverstone was a Royal Air Force airfield during World War II. The museum paid tribute to its roots by displaying some war memorabilia. before we reached the race cars and motorcycles. Among the highlights were an Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Car and an Aston Martin Vantage Formula 1 safety car. Seeing those two was a treat, especially with how striking their liveries were.
KartingPHOTO BY Charles Banaag
I’ve always wanted to try it, but somehow I never got to do it back home. Now my first karting experience would take place at Silverstone Circuit. I can’t even wrap my head around that concept.
I was excited, but I also felt a little pressure. Thankfully, we weren’t simply thrown into the karts and let loose around the track. The instructors taught us the basics, explained how to approach corners, and how to improve our lap times. We even had a qualifying session before the actual race.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
I started third on the grid, but fell to eighth during the start of the race. It was disheartening, but I never gave up. Lap by lap, I managed to get some positions, and by the start of the last lap, I was already in fourth place. By the time the race concluded, I managed to secure a podium finish. Not bad for a first-timer.
More than finishing in that position, I was actually very happy to have experienced racing for the first time. It was both physically and mentally draining, but it was all worth it. It was easily one of the highlights of the trip for me.
A day away from cars in London
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Our friends from Aramco also gave us a day to explore London, and it was nice to slow down and relax after our adrenaline-filled karting session.
We visited the city’s most iconic landmarks: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben—I did the full tourist bit and I loved it. The weather gave us the full London experience, too—a bit of rain in the morning followed by a very warm and sunny afternoon.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
What struck me the most was how well the city had preserved its architecture. For miles, most of the buildings looked like they were built long before cars were invented. Everywhere I looked was just a frame waiting to be captured. I pulled out my full-frame professional camera; this deserved the complete photography treatment. It made me wonder how beautiful our country could be if more of our historic buildings had been preserved.
After a day of walking around the city, we ended with dinner overlooking London. It was a lovely way to cap off the day before our main event: The Aston Martin Aramco F1 headquarters tour and driving two Aston Martin vehicles.
Inside Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 headquarters
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
This was the day I’ve been looking forward to the most.
We were driven to the Aston Martin Racing Technology Campus, the headquarters of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team. It was a £200 million (around P16.8 billion) state-of-the-art facility built for research and development of the team’s Formula 1 operations. Unfortunately, cameras are forbidden inside the factory. This was due to the sensitive work and research they do to improve their race cars.
We were able to handle some components, including body panels and a used steering wheel. Touching these parts, which I had only seen in photos, already gave me goosebumps. We also got to step inside the team’s mission control room, which gave us a glimpse of the amount of information they process, and how the team coordinates during a race weekend.
But as impressive the factory was, the best part of the trip was still ahead: We were going to drive two Aston Martins.
Driving the Aston Martin Vantage and DBX707PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Any car enthusiast would be thrilled just by having the idea of driving an Aston Martin. Getting behind the wheel of two of them, at Silverstone, was almost too good to be true. I just want to make it clear that we drove on Stowe Circuit rather than on the actual Formula 1 track. But nevertheless, it is still inside Silverstone.
We were given around thirty minutes with each car, and I was able to drive the Vantage first.
It was my first time driving an Aston Martin, and my first time driving a car of this calibre around the track. Naturally, I was excited, but also a bit nervous at the same time. But our instructors were professionals, and they knew what they do. They drove us around the track at first, showing us the racing line and explaining to us where we should brake and accelerate. After two laps, it was our turn to take the wheel.
The sound from the twin-turbo V8 engine in the Vantage was a symphony for my ears. Every shift is a reminder of how special this car is. Reaching 200kph is an easy feat, and it can do it all day. The straights of the track aren’t long enough for us to test how fast this thing can go. But what surprised me is how comfortable and stable it is.
With 670hp under the hood, this Aston was easily one of the most powerful cars I’ve ever driven, but certainly not the most intimidating. The car felt very planted around corners, which gave me the confidence to push the car closer and closer to its limits. But knowing how capable the car is, I know I am still very far from what it can actually do. I just can’t help but imagine driving it on a daily basis. It was fun, comfortable, and certainly good-looking.
After the Vantage, it’s my turn with the DBX707.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect because I was never a fan of SUVs. I expected that driving the DBX707 after the Vantage would feel a bit underwhelming. Boy, was I wrong.
The DBX707 felt like an entirely different animal. It was more powerful and sounded a bit angrier. Driving it feels the same but also very different from the Vantage, if that makes sense. Oddly enough, I was a bit more comfortable driving the DBX707 harder around the track. I’m not sure if it was actually more approachable or because I was already more familiar with the circuit by my second run. I honestly couldn’t say. What I know is that I now get why manufacturers continue to create performance SUVs. They are grin-inducing and powerful, but at the same time, practical.
The Vantage and the DBX707 may be different in a lot of ways, but both of them share something very important: Character.
Neither of them was about being the fastest in a straight line. It was about the sound, the way they respond to inputs, and the confidence and comfort they give on the corners. It was all about how these cars are designed to give the drivers a good driving experience. And for me, that’s the most important aspect of how cars should be built.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Like I said, my late father used to make our birthdays very special when we were kids; that’s why the day has always meant so much to me. Turning 30 felt like a big milestone, and I had imagined all sorts of ways to celebrate it, but I never imagined it would be like this.
Weeks earlier, I was perfectly happy with the idea of having a simple dinner with my wife. Instead, I found myself exploring one of the world's most famous racing circuits, competing in my first karting race, stepping inside an F1 team’s headquarters, and driving two incredible cars. Not to mention sharing the best memories with people who, until this trip, have been complete strangers.
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
Looking back, I can’t help but smile. More than anything, I feel grateful for the opportunity Aramco Stations Philippines gave us, and for the people who made this experience memorable. It was an honor to represent our country on a trip like this, and I hope more Filipinos get the opportunity to experience something similar.
Some birthdays are celebrated with a simple dinner, while others come with a big party. For my 30th, I got a big dose of horsepower, an unforgettable history lesson, and the story of a lifetime.
More photos from the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Experience in London:PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag
PHOTO BY Charles Banaag