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![\"Aston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/XPB_1283156_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAston Martin will no longer supply the Safety Car or Medical Car in F1. Image: XPB Images <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAston Martin will no longer supply the Safety Car or Medical Car in F1. Image: XPB Images
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Aston Martin and Mercedes had shared safety car duties since 2021, ending the German marque\u2019s long-standing monopoly that dated back to 1996.<\/p>\n
But Aston Martin\u2019s agreement concluded at the end of the 2025 season, clearing the way for Mercedes to resume full responsibility across all 24 races in 2026.<\/p>\n
In a statement confirming its exit, Aston Martin said it was \u201cgrateful\u201d for its time in the sport supplying both the Safety and Medical Car.<\/p>\n
\u201cAston Martin\u2019s agreement with Formula 1 to provide the Official FIA Safety and Medical Car concluded at the end of the 2025 season,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving amplified the brand\u2019s return to F1, we are grateful for the association and success of holding this critical role on the grid for the past five years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aston Martin\u2019s time as a safety car supplier proved contentious, particularly in its early years.<\/p>\n
The original Vantage F1 Edition was criticised within the paddock for being heavier and significantly less powerful than the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series it alternated with, leading to concerns about its ability to control the pace of the field.<\/p>\n
Those concerns came to a head publicly at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen delivered a blunt assessment of the car\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety car was driving so slow, it was like a turtle. Unbelievable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo drive 140km\/h [87mph] on the back straight, there was not a damaged car, so I don\u2019t understand why we have to drive so slowly. We have to investigate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aston Martin responded with a series of upgrades. A revised Vantage was introduced for the 2024 season, lifting power to 656bhp thanks to changes including larger turbochargers, improved cooling and new camshafts.<\/p>\n
Further refinements followed, with an upgraded Vantage S debuting during last year\u2019s Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Alongside its safety car programme, Aston Martin also supplied F1\u2019s medical car in the form of the DBX707, a high-performance SUV producing close to 700bhp.<\/p>\n
Mercedes will now take on full responsibility for supplying both the safety and medical cars throughout the 2026 season, continuing with the AMG GT Black Series and a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S\u2013based medical car.<\/p>\n
Bernd Maylander will remain at the wheel of the safety car, a role he has held since 2000.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/285249.gif\")