Mercedes-AMG has confirmed its continued role as the official provider of FIA Formula 1® Safety and Medical Cars, starting from the 2026 season. This agreement covers all 24 F1® Grands Prix worldwide as well as the pre-season testing events held in Bahrain, reaffirming Mercedes-AMG’s long-standing partnership with the FIA, the global authority governing motorsport.
Legacy and Commitment to Safety in Motorsport
The presence of Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1® Safety Car duties dates back to June 30, 1996, when the brand made its debut with the Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG at the Magny-Cours Grand Prix. The upcoming 2026 season will mark the 30th anniversary of this commitment to safety in the sport’s top tier.
Over the past three decades, Mercedes-AMG has deployed a total of 13 different Safety Car models and eight different Medical Car models during race weekends. A significant milestone was reached just last year at the Austin Grand Prix, with the 500th deployment of a Safety Car in Formula 1® history.
Current Vehicles and Operational Support
The current Official FIA F1® Safety Car is the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ serves as the Official FIA Medical Car. These vehicles are not only active in Formula 1® but also participate in other series, including Formula 2 and Formula 3, as well as various junior and support racing categories.
Mercedes-AMG supplies a fleet comprising three Safety Cars and two Medical Cars dedicated to Formula 1®. At every race, two vehicles are present and prepared for immediate deployment. The maintenance and technical support of the cars are managed by a specialized team based in Affalterbach, ensuring top performance and safety standards.
The Steadfast Role of the Safety Car Driver
Bernd Mayländer, AMG brand ambassador and former racing driver, has been the trusted driver of the Official FIA F1® Safety Car since 2000. Approaching the 2026 season opener in Melbourne, Mayländer will reach a remarkable milestone of 500 F1® Grands Prix driven behind the Safety Car, underscoring his enduring contribution to race safety over 25 years.
Enduring Impact of Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1® Safety
Mercedes-AMG’s long-term involvement as the official Safety and Medical Car provider highlights its commitment to driver and spectator safety within Formula 1®. Maintaining this role through 2026 allows the brand to continue demonstrating the reliability, performance, and safety of its vehicles under extreme racing conditions. As the sport evolves, Mercedes-AMG’s collaboration with the FIA ensures that cutting-edge safety technology remains at the forefront of race events worldwide.
“Safety is an absolutely central value of our brand and our products. That is why we have been providing the Official FIA F1® Safety and Medical Car in Formula 1® since 1996. From the 2026 season onwards, the FIA F1® Official Cars will once again bear the star at all F1® events. In this way, we will continue to make an active contribution to safety in the premier class of motorsport. For Mercedes-AMG, Formula 1® is not only a sporting platform, but also an environment in which the performance, reliability, and safety of our vehicles become visible under extreme conditions.” Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
