Mercedes Reclaims Sole Ownership of F1 Safety Duties for 2026
In a sport where nearly everything changes from one season to the next, drivers reshuffle, regulations tighten or loosen, and entire teams reinvent themselves, Formula 1’s safety fleet has been one of the few constants. Since the mid‑1990s, when the sport first formalized its modern safety protocols, one manufacturer has been trusted to lead the field when conditions deteriorate or disaster strikes.
The manufacturer is Mercedes, and in 2026, the company will once again assume full responsibility. Mercedes has officially signed on as the exclusive supplier of both the safety car and medical car for the entire 2026 Formula 1 season.
It’s a notable shift in the visual rhythm of race weekends. For the past several years, Aston Martin has shared the duty, with its British Racing Green becoming a familiar sight during caution periods. That rotation ends next year. When the yellow flags fly, it will be a Mercedes at the front every time.
A Return to Familiar Territory
For longtime fans, this move feels less like a change and more like a return to the sport’s natural order. Mercedes has been the backbone of Formula 1’s safety operations since 1996, beginning with the C 36 AMG. That era feels distant now, screaming V10s, narrow chassis, and a very different philosophy of speed, yet Mercedes’ presence has remained steady through every evolution of the sport.
Aston Martin’s involvement added variety, but Mercedes’ long history in the role gives this transition a sense of continuity. The company has built its reputation on reliability and composure, qualities that matter more in safety operations than anywhere else in motorsport.
The AMG Safety Fleet: Built for the Worst Moments in Racing
The 2026 season will feature the most advanced safety fleet Mercedes has ever deployed. These aren’t lightly modified road cars. They are purpose‑built machines engineered to operate at the edge of what a safety vehicle can do.
AMG GT Black Series: The Safety Car
The AMG GT Black Series returns as the official safety car, and it’s easy to understand why. With its flat‑plane crank V8, aggressive aero package, and track‑focused suspension, the Black Series is capable of lapping many circuits at speeds that would embarrass dedicated race machinery. It needs that capability. Leading a pack of Formula 1 cars is not ceremonial. It’s a technical requirement.
If the safety car runs too slowly, tire pressures plummet, brake temperatures fall, and the restart becomes dangerous. The Black Series can maintain a pace that keeps the field’s tires alive, even in cold or wet conditions. Its massive rear wing, wide stance, and stiff chassis provide the stability needed to push hard while leaving a margin for unpredictable track conditions.
AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+: The Medical Car
The medical car is the vehicle no one wants to see deployed, but everyone is grateful for when it is. The AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ is equipped with the FIA medical delegate and the necessary equipment to respond immediately to an accident. Its all‑wheel‑drive system, powerful twin‑turbo V8, and spacious cabin make it uniquely suited for rapid response.
The car must launch from a standstill and reach the first corner of a Grand Prix circuit in seconds. It must do so reliably, in any weather, with a full load of personnel and equipment. Mercedes has refined this platform for years, and the 2026 version includes upgraded communication systems, improved cooling, and reinforced braking components designed for repeated high‑speed stops.
A Milestone Year for Bernd Mayländer
Beyond the machinery, 2026 carries emotional weight for the people behind the wheel. It marks the 30th anniversary of Mercedes’ partnership with Formula 1 and also marks a major milestone for Bernd Mayländer. The veteran safety car driver is set to reach his 500th Grand Prix, which is a number that reflects decades of calm, precise work in some of the sport’s most chaotic moments.
Mayländer’s role is often overlooked, but his consistency matters. He spends race days waiting for the unexpected, ready to take control of the field at a moment’s notice. Having the same car beneath him at every round allows him to develop a rhythm that directly contributes to the safety of the grid.
Why Mercedes Fits the Role So Naturally
Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes‑AMG Motorsport, emphasized that safety is central to the company’s identity. When conditions are at their worst, whether it be heavy rain, debris, or poor visibility, the world sees a Mercedes handling the situation with composure.
That kind of exposure isn’t something a manufacturer can buy. It’s earned through decades of trust. The safety fleet is more than a branding exercise. It’s a demonstration of engineering under pressure, and Mercedes has built its reputation on delivering in those moments.
What This Means
To the casual viewer, Aston Martin’s departure from the rotation may seem like a small visual change. But operationally, the shift has real implications. A single supplier simplifies the FIA’s workload. One set of telemetry. One performance profile. One fleet to maintain.
Race Control knows exactly how the Mercedes behaves at every circuit, whether it’s threading through the narrow streets of Monaco or managing the long straights of Monza. That consistency helps officials make faster, more accurate decisions during incidents.
It also reinforces Mercedes’ identity within the sport. Even if their Formula 1 team has an off‑weekend, their road‑car division remains front and center, demonstrating capability in the most demanding conditions. As the sport enters a new regulatory era in 2026, a stable, predictable safety fleet will provide reassurance that teams and drivers will welcome.
What’s Next
The 2026 season will bring sweeping changes to Formula 1 and new power units, new chassis rules, and a grid that may look very different from the one we know today. In the midst of that upheaval, Mercedes’ return as the sole provider of safety and medical cars offers something rare: stability.
Aston Martin’s presence will be missed, but there is a certain logic to seeing a Mercedes lead the field when conditions deteriorate. They’ve been doing it since the mid‑90s. They’ve handled everything the sport has thrown at them. As Formula 1 enters a new chapter, the car responsible for keeping drivers safe will carry the same badge it did thirty years ago. In a sport defined by constant change, that kind of continuity carries real weight.
