A decision reached in recent hours is now only awaiting official confirmation: here is the brand that will provide the Official Safety Car for the 2026 season
The Safety Car is back in the spotlight. Recent years have seen numerous changes and mid-season adjustments regarding which manufacturer best suits the role of the sport’s primary safety vehicle.
According to breaking reports from The Race, the FIA and Formula 1 have finally reached a decision regarding the branding of the Safety Car for 2026.
From Silver to Green and Red: The Evolution of the Safety Car
Conceived as a tool for maximum caution and safety—acting as the undisputed leader of the pack—early Safety Cars almost exclusively featured the classic silver livery, particularly during the Mercedes-dominated Power Unit era.
The first major shift occurred in 2021 when the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series began sharing duties with the Aston Martin Vantage. This introduced a visual overhaul, as “British Racing Green” progressively shared the track with the traditional German “Silver Arrow” aesthetic.
However, the Vantage faced consistent scrutiny, primarily due to it being heavier and consequently slower than its Mercedes counterpart. In response, the FIA implemented an alternating rotation between the two brands, a system that has persisted through the 2025 season.
In 2026, both the Safety Car and the Medical Car will return exclusively to the Mercedes brand, moving away from the Aston Martin partnership. This marks the end of a brief era and a return to a long-standing tradition—a “past” that, in truth, was never fully interrupted.
Photos: Mercedes-AMG Passion Club, Aston Martin.com
