For 25 years, Bernd Mayländer has been at the helm of Formula 1’s safety car, guiding through evolving challenges and technologies, ensuring drivers’ safety in the world’s most competitive motorsport.
In the year 2000, the world was celebrating the dawn of a new millennium, and Mika Häkkinen, driving for McLaren, had just secured back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999.
It was also the year when Bernd Mayländer, a 28-year-old German DTM driver, began his first season as the official Formula 1 safety car driver, behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, Mayländer is still in the role, leading the safety car at every Grand Prix.
“I never expected to still be here 25 years later, but that just shows you’re passionate about your work and love what you do,” he reflects.
“When I started, we had 16 races per season. Now it’s 24, so it’s definitely my main job!”
“People often tell me how many races or laps I’ve completed – but I’m not one to keep count. At this point, I’m just happy to remember my age – I’m 53!”
Mayländer’s F1 career began after he was invited by former race director Charlie Whiting to drive the safety car in Formula 3000 during the late 1990s.
“It was a role you could really get invested in,” he explains.
“I already knew the safety car procedures from F3000; the races were just shorter. I think every driver understood the rules and what it meant when the safety car was on track.”
While drivers occasionally criticise the speed of the safety car, Mayländer insists that the relationship with the key figures in the paddock remains strong.
“You have a job to do. For me, a successful safety car intervention is all about managing the situation in the safest way possible,” he says.
“Of course, it’s a competition, but every driver understands this aspect of the sport. If you lose your lead, it’s purely for safety reasons.”
“I’ve never heard any complaints about the safety car in that regard because everyone understands.”
As for what makes a good weekend for Mayländer, the answer may seem paradoxical.
“The best scenarios are when I do a few laps, manage everything correctly, and relay the right information to race control and the marshals.”
“For me, the best races are those without the safety car, because that means nothing dangerous has happened on track.”
Same job, but under different conditions
In 25 years of being in the sport, the safety car driver has naturally seen procedures evolve. Can he elaborate?
“Our goal hasn’t changed, but the details certainly have,” he explains.
“In 2000, we had a radio and a backup manual radio. Now, there are so many more communication systems in place. The level of information we have now is much better for safety.”
“The virtual safety car is another factor. We only introduced it in 2015, so before that, we would have had more interventions.”
Two Grand Prix that left a lasting impression…
Among his most memorable experiences, two races stand out in particular for Bernd Mayländer: Fuji in 2007 and Montréal in 2011, where extremely challenging conditions forced him to lead the race for extended periods. In Montréal, he led for 29 of the 70 laps, with six separate safety car interventions.
“Fuji 2007 and Montréal 2011 come to mind,” he recalls.
“But no matter what’s happening, we’re always watching, always ready to go. Helmet on, radio in our ears.”
“I have a co-driver with me, and that’s really important when you need to focus on the task at hand.”
As for his favourite car, Bernd is quick to answer: all of them!
“Each time a new car is introduced, I think, this is the one! But then the engineers keep developing the next generation.”
“The CLK 63 in its Black Series version was an incredible car. The SLS was the first fully AMG-developed car. The GT Black Series we have now is a fantastic track car.”
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Mayländer’s 25-Year Reign: The Man Behind F1’s Safety Car Mayländer’s 25-Year Reign: The Man Behind F1’s Safety Car . f1 2024 Mayländer’s 25-Year Reign: The Man Behind F1’s Safety Car
