What's all this about?
This 'challengingly' liveried Aston Martin Vantage GTE will be among the field at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend.
Why on Earth is it painted like that?
The owner of car No.97 commissioned German sculptor and abstract artist Tobias Rehberger to paint the Aston for the prestigious French endurance race. A man who delights in distorting perception, Rehberger's design is supposed to make the car look like it's moving fast, even when it's stationary.
Has Rehberger got anything to say on the matter?
Yes, he claims: "My design for the Aston Martin art car is rooted in my interest in distorted perception and related phenomena like auto moving patterns, optical effects, camouflage and visual confusion, which I have addressed in many works before. In this case, the design is based on a geometric optical effect pattern. Comparable to a fast object, a steady fixation on a point of the pattern is impossible."
Impossible, eh? Who gets to drive this thing at Le Mans?
British helmsman Darren Turner, a seasoned GT racer who isn't fazed by the prospect, adding: "Personally, I think art cars are fantastic. This design really pushes the boundaries of what's been done before and challenges how we can use patterns and colours in race car liveries - I love it!"
Each to their own, I suppose...
Indeed. We'd rather have Gulf colours, if we're honest, but there you go.
Matt Robinson - 9 Jun 2015