Cars
The Formula 1 Safety Car’s strange history
Fascinating history of Formula 1 Safety Cars, from chaotic beginnings in 1973 to today's sleek AMG GTR Black Series and Aston Martin Vantage. Discover odd choices like a Renault Clio Williams in 1996 and how Mercedes-Benz became the official supplier.
The 2023 Formula 1 World Championship concluded last week in Abu Dhabi with the final Grand Prix of the season won by Max Verstappen, who dominated with Red Bull without the need for the Safety Car to make an appearance. All smooth. However, the AMG GTR Black Series and Aston Martin Vantage, ready to slow down the race and compact the group of single-seaters in case of an accident, are always on standby with a driver on board. These models are selected by the FIA through sponsorship deals, where the brands provide not only the Safety Car but also the Medical Car for emergency response. Mercedes and Aston Martin supply the cars for promotional purposes.
Seeing today’s fast and track-ready Safety Cars, which don’t force the single-seaters to slow down too much, it’s worth asking how these vehicles were in the past.
