Every time there is an incident in Formula 1, Mercedes Benz appears on the track trying to restore calm to the circuit. They are the safety car, the safety cars. But who drives these machines capable of exceeding 300 km/h?
any fan of formula 1 you saw the security car in action. He practically goes out on the circuit at every Grand Prix, every time an incident occurs that jeopardizes the development of the race. Its mission is to slow down the competition, but without stopping the movement of vehicles so that tires, oil, etc. are kept in ideal conditions. More than one car lover would give something to have the privilege of being behind the wheel of one of these cars. But in reality, who is responsible for this responsibility? Who drives the security car?
For car manufacturers, the safety car is an extraordinary marketing tool. Associating their image with the world of competition allows them to associate their brand with innovation and technology and transfer all the knowledge acquired in racing to street cars. Only a select few can get behind the wheel of these cars. And that means professional riders who stay active. They are riders who know the championship well, the regulations, what to do in an unexpected situation. They are also proud to be a safety car driver.
an old acquaintance
Since 2000, the Mercedes safety car has been driven by Bernd Mayländer, a veteran of many circuits. He raced in Formula Ford, the Porsche Carrera Cup and the original Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft. He also won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring before Mercedes knocked on his door to offer him this job, which he has been doing for over 20 years.
Now he drives one of those cars any fan would fall in love with, a Mercedes AMG GT Black Series of which only a few dozen units were built. It reaches a speed of over 300 km/h and its price is over 300,000 euros. Most of us will never be able to buy it, but what is within our power is to imagine that we are Mayländer every time we see this Mercedes on the track.
Bernd Mayländer is the Mercedes driver responsible for driving the safety car.