Mercedes and Aston Martin as Safety Car in 2021

It is already confirmed that the Aston Martin brand will make its return to F1 as a team from 2021, but according to some media, Aston Martin is also about to finalize an agreement with the FIA to supply a safety car.

Since 1996, the star-branded company has been the sole provider of the safety car and medical car, but it seems discussions are underway to separate the roles between these two functions. While today Bernd Maylander and Alan Van Der Merwe drive a Mercedes AMG GTR safety car and an AMG C63 S Estate for medical purposes respectively, things are expected to change from next season.

The new 2021 calendar, which has officially announced the organization of 23 races, will lead to additional financial commitment for Mercedes, which would like to reduce the operating costs of its two cars.

If the Aston Martin track is favored, the explanation lies in the recent rapprochement of the two brands over the past few months. Indeed, Mercedes has financially committed to a 20% stake in the brand newly acquired by Lawrence Stroll. New technological links have been forged between the two manufacturers, who will in the future share information on their engines as well as electronics.

Lacking sales for several years and facing financial issues, the Aston Martin brand was bought by an investment fund led by the father of Canadian driver Lance Stroll. The idea today is to revive sales of these legendary English cars. Its entry into F1 as a team offers tremendous publicity for the brand, and what better way than the safety car to showcase to the world what the Gaydon brand can do in terms of supercars.

If Aston Martin has to place one of its cars as the Safety Car, the choice could fall on the Aston Martin Vantage. In the realm of dreams, let’s recall that Aston Martin recently developed a 1176-horsepower hybrid hypercar, in partnership with Adrian Newey and Red Bull.

The Aston Martin Vantage GTE which could be used as early as 2021