Aston Martin ends F1 safety car role, Mercedes to become sole supplier in 2026

Aston Martin will withdraw from its role as an official Formula 1 safety car supplier at the end of the 2025 season, leaving Mercedes as the exclusive provider of both the safety and medical cars starting in 2026. This decision concludes a five-year partnership where the two manufacturers shared course car duties, marking a significant shift in the commercial landscape of the sport's support operations.

Why it matters:

For Aston Martin, the safety car role served as a powerful marketing tool to amplify its return to F1 as a works team. However, the brand is now pivoting its strategy, potentially reallocating resources to its on-track performance. For Mercedes, becoming the sole supplier solidifies its long-standing dominance in F1's off-track hardware and ensures a consistent fleet for race control across the expanding 24-race calendar.

The details:

• End of an Era: Aston Martin and Mercedes had shared the safety car duties since 2021. Aston Martin's contract expired at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, and the British automaker opted against renewal.
• Performance Specs: The Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition, introduced in 2024, boasted 656hp from its AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. This upgrade addressed previous criticisms from drivers regarding the car's relative lack of pace compared to the Mercedes.
• Medical Car: Alongside the Vantage, Aston Martin also supplied the 697-hp DBX707 luxury SUV as the official medical car.
• Mercedes' 2026 Lineup: With the field to itself, Mercedes will deploy the 730-hp AMG GT Black Series for safety car duties at all rounds. The medical car duties will be handled by the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+.
• Behind the Wheel: The change in supplier does not affect the driver; Bernd Maylander, who has served as the FIA's safety car driver since 2000, will continue his role.

Looking Ahead:

As the 2026 season approaches, the grid will see a unified safety car presence for the first time in years. While fans will miss the variety of the Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes' exclusive deal promises reliability and consistency as the sport navigates its next major regulatory era.