The 2021 safety cars finally unveiled by Aston Martin and Mercedes

A Mercedes coming out of the pit lane to lead the pack of Formula 1 cars in case of an accident is an image that we have known since 1996. A preserve for over 23 years, the FIA has decided to bring some novelty this season with the arrival of the English manufacturer Aston Martin.

As announced several weeks ago, in 2021, Aston Martin and Mercedes will therefore share the role of safety car and medical cars. Mercedes will continue with an AMG GTR with 585 horsepower while Aston Martin will introduce the very pretty Vantage equipped with a 525 horsepower Mercedes engine.

The grey Mercedes AMG GRT started to be seen in new colors last season, first in support of #WeRaceAsOne where the car had a slogan and a rainbow added, and then for Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix. In tribute to the Scuderia, the Mercedes was tinted red.

Mercedes has retained the same color in 2021 for its safety car and medical car, as you can see in the photos below. But it is also to distinguish itself from Aston Martin. Indeed, the English manufacturer will be on duty for the first races of the season, notably from the end of March for the Bahrain GP. Traditionally, it is a striking British racing green that adorns the Vantage and DBX. This contrasts with the classic gray usually seen on Mercedes cars.

Finally, the latest and not the least change to date, a sponsor makes its appearance on the Mercedes. It will be Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity protection software. It’s a first in Formula 1 history where a brand comes forward directly on the safety car. We know that in case of problems on the track, the safety car is well visible to cameras and it is logical that a sponsor may wish to see their brand appear, especially when the goal is (digital) protection of companies.