Aston Martin has decided not to renew its agreement to supply Formula 1's safety and medical cars after the 2025 season, reverting the role solely to Mercedes from 2026. The British manufacturer shared duties with Mercedes since 2021, but its vehicles faced early criticism for performance issues. Mercedes will now provide its high-powered AMG models for all 24 races next year.
Since 2021, Aston Martin and Mercedes have alternated providing Formula 1's official FIA safety and medical cars, ending Mercedes' long-standing monopoly that began in 1996. Aston Martin's involvement coincided with its return to the F1 grid as a works team, using its Vantage sports car for safety duties and the DBX707 SUV for medical support.
The partnership was not without challenges. Aston Martin's initial Vantage F1 Edition safety car, introduced in 2021, was heavier by 45kg and less powerful than Mercedes' AMG GT Black Series, leading to complaints from drivers. At the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull's Max Verstappen famously called it the "green turtle" due to its slow pace. "The safety car was driving so slow, it was like a turtle. Unbelievable," Verstappen said after the Melbourne race. "To drive 140km/h on the back straight, there was not a damaged car, so I don't understand why we have to drive so slowly."
Aston Martin responded with upgrades. The 2024 model boosted output to 656hp from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, supplied by AMG, addressing earlier criticisms. A further enhanced Vantage S, producing around 670hp, debuted at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix with aerodynamic improvements like a new rear spoiler.
Despite these efforts, Aston Martin chose not to extend the deal beyond 2025. In a statement, the company said: "Aston Martin’s agreement with Formula 1 to provide the official FIA safety and medical car concluded at the end of the 2025 season. Having amplified the brand’s return to F1, we are grateful for the association and success of holding this critical role on the grid for the past five years."
Mercedes, which has supplied safety cars since 1996, will now handle all 24 rounds of the 2026 season with its 730hp AMG GT Black Series safety car and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ medical car. German driver Bernd Maylander, who has piloted the safety car since 2000, will continue in the role. The reasons for Aston Martin's withdrawal remain unclear, though commercial factors may play a part.
