Mercedes-Benz has continuously supplied Safety Cars and Medical Cars for the annual F1 festivities since 1996, but the brand is no longer the sole supplier. Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin will split tasks during the 2021 Formula 1 season. Aston Martin uses the DBX as a Medical Car while the SUV DBX takes on the role of Medical Car.
The Aston Martin Vantage will make its debut as a Safety Car at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday 28 March. Behind the wheel is none other than Bernd Mayländer, a former DTM driver from Germany who has been driving Safety Cars for over twenty years. It is the first time since 1996 that Mercedes-Benz is not the only manufacturer that supplies Safety Cars, though Das Haus just added this year. Aston Martin doesn’t just put a siren on the roof of its Vantage Safety Car, the car actually gets extra power.
Aston Martin Vantage Safery Car
The power of the Aston Martin Vantage Safety Cars is boosted by 25 hp. This means that the biturbo 4.0 V8, which is also in the Mercedes-AMG GT Safety Car, now delivers 525 hp and 685 Nm in the Vantage. The torque remains the same, but is available in a wider speed range. The Briton shoots to a speed of 97 km / h (60 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Aston Martin says it has also addressed the automatic transmission, resulting in shorter shift moments. Adjusted spoiler work is good for almost 156 kilos of downforce at a speed of 200 km / h. That is about 60 kilos more than with the regular Vantage. Aston Martin also adjusts the steering and the chassis. Because a Safety Car is immediately stopped idling in the pit lane after one or more laps of heavy tearing on the track without a cooling off lap, the cooling system has also been adjusted. In the case of this Vantage Safety Car, the cooling system comes from the Vantage GT4 race car. The Vantage is painted in the color Aston Martin Racing Grean, a new paint color for this model.
The Vantage Safety Car is also fitted with extra antennas, an LED number plate, an extra camera and the lighting that flashes as soon as the car enters the track. Inside, the car distinguishes itself with special FIA racing seats with six-point belts from its regular brothers and sisters. There are two screens on the dashboard with which the driver and his co-driver can view various information.
Aston Martin DBX Medical Car
DBX
This F1 season also has a role to play for the Aston Martin DBX. The SUV takes on the role of Medical Car. Just like the Safety Car, this DBX is also painted in the color Aston Martin Racing Green, supplemented with Lime Green-colored accents. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the DBX is also equipped with an LED light bar on the roof, special sticker work and an LED license plate. The DBX, which retains its 550 hp and 800 Nm strong biturbo 4.0 V8 from Mercedes-AMG, has two fire extinguishers, a defibrillator and various medical devices on board. The middle part of the rear seat has been removed from the DBX, what remains in the DBX interior are four bucket seats with six-point seat belts.
Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupé Safety Car and C 63 S Estate Medical Car
Mercedes-AMG
As mentioned, Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin will share the tasks this year. The Safety Car from Mercedes-AMG is again this year the 585 hp strong AMG GT R. The Medical Car is a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate. The two F1 Benzen have been given a bright red livery for this year’s Formula 1 season. The first working day of this pair is Sunday April 18 during the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna in Imola.