Mercedes Becomes F1’s Sole Safety Car Supplier

Mercedes will serve as Formula 1’s exclusive supplier of safety and medical cars this season, with Aston Martin stepping back from the role after four years of shared duties.

Since 2021, Aston Martin had alternated safety car responsibilities with Mercedes, but it will not continue into the 2026 campaign. The decision ends a partnership that initially sparked debate within the paddock.

Early Controversy Over Aston Martin’s Safety Car

Aston Martin’s first safety car, the Vantage F1 Edition, drew criticism for its lack of performance compared to Mercedes’ AMG GT Black Series. The car was around 45kg heavier and down roughly 200bhp, making it noticeably slower on track.

That disparity became a talking point at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen famously labelled the Aston Martin the “green turtle.”

“The safety car was driving so slow, it was like a turtle. Unbelievable,” Verstappen said at the time.

Performance Upgrades Came Too Late

Aston Martin responded with significant upgrades in later seasons. For 2024, the Vantage received larger turbochargers, improved cooling and revised camshafts, lifting output to 656bhp. Further improvements arrived at last year’s Dutch Grand Prix with the introduction of the Vantage S, producing around 670bhp and featuring aerodynamic enhancements, including a new rear deck spoiler.

Despite those steps forward, Aston Martin has elected not to continue in the safety car role. While no official reason has been given, commercial considerations are believed to have influenced the decision.

Mercedes Steps Up Alone

Mercedes now assumes full responsibility for both the safety and medical cars across the entire season. The manufacturer has supplied F1 safety cars since 1996 and has run the AMG GT Black Series since 2022, most recently in a red livery carrying CrowdStrike branding.

The medical car remains the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S, producing 639bhp and capable of accelerating from 0–100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, ensuring rapid response when required.

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