Safety Car Strategy: Bahrain's Unique Challenge

Since its debut in 2004, the Bahrain Grand Prix has seen 14 safety car deployments at the Bahrain International Circuit. The safety car is deployed to slow down the race in the event of an accident or adverse track conditions, allowing marshals to clear debris and ensure driver safety. The safety car has been used at the Bahrain Grand Prix due to various incidents, including collisions, car failures, and stranded vehicles. In 2024, a more powerful 656bhp Aston Martin Vantage safety car was introduced, addressing previous criticisms of slow speed and performance.

Aston Martin's upgraded Vantage Safety Car

The upgraded Vantage also features revised bodywork, a new grille, an upgraded aero kit with an extended front splitter, a redesigned underfloor, and a giant rear wing. The roof-mounted light bar has also been made more aerodynamic. The interior has been updated with a bespoke centre console that includes switchgear to work the FIA systems and screens that show live lap times, track positioning, and a rear-view camera feed. The standard seats have been replaced with racing-style Pole Position Seats, and the interior has been finished in a unique Lime Essence trim.

The Vantage Safety Car first appeared at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2021 and has been used at subsequent races in Bahrain, including the 2024 pre-season testing. The car has been well-received by Bernd Mayländer, the FIA Safety Car Driver, who praised its improved handling and power, stating that it is "fast and focused" and well-suited for its role as a safety car.

Slow safety cars causing tyre temperature issues

Tyre temperature is critical in racing, influencing grip and handling. If the temperature is too low, the tyre will have less grip and feel like it's driving on ice. If it's too high, the tyre will degrade faster, and the rubber will lose its structural stiffness, again resulting in a loss of grip.

During a safety car period, tyre temperatures can drop due to the slow pace of the safety car, low track temperatures, and a lack of grip on the circuit. In the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, drivers reported dangerously low tyre temperatures, with George Russell stating:

> "It was really dangerous under the Safety Car. The tyres were rock-solid and they were colder than you’d experience in the rain, really. So that was to be expected here, in these conditions."

Carlos Sainz Jr. added:

> "At turn one on the Safety Car restart was like driving on ice. We need to find a solution, I think, to make the Safety Car a bit quicker in these certain scenarios."

Max Verstappen had previously criticised the slow pace of the Aston Martin safety car in 2022, labelling it a "turtle" and stating that it was "pretty terrible the way we are driving behind the safety car at the moment."

As a result of these concerns, Aston Martin introduced a new safety car for the 2024 season, with 150bhp more power than its predecessor, addressing the issue of slow safety car speeds.

Safety car liveries

The safety car at the Bahrain Grand Prix has been provided by Mercedes since 1996. The car is usually silver, which is the brand's colour. However, a new red-liveried Mercedes-AMG GT was spotted during testing ahead of the 2024 F1 pre-season. Aston Martin has also provided the safety car since 2021 with its Vantage model. The Vantage is less powerful than the Mercedes, and Max Verstappen complained that it was too slow after the 2022 Australian Grand Prix. As a result, Aston Martin will debut a new safety car for the 2024 season, with a more powerful engine and revised bodywork.

Mercedes safety car performance

The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the official safety car from Mercedes. It's the replacement for the AMG GT-R and offers a suite of improvements, including better performance, a more appealing design, and a deep red colour to stand out on the race track.

The GT Black Series is a marvel of engineering, with sleek curves, a giant angled rear spoiler, and an aggressive front splitter. It has a handcrafted AMG 4.0-litre V-8 Biturbo Engine with a Flat Plane Crankshaft, producing 720 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque at 2,000–6,000 RPM. This gives it a top speed of 202 mph and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.1 seconds.

The current Mercedes safety car has 165 more hp, 750 more max RPM, a higher top speed, and faster acceleration than its predecessor. It's faster than the old AMG GT R, and even Bernd Mayländer, its designated driver, is amazed at its performance, stating that it comes very close to a real race car.

The Mercedes safety car is also available for public sale as the AMG GT Black Series, with a price of around $300,000 (MSRP). However, with additional options, paint, and destination charges, the price can increase significantly, reaching up to $500,000–$600,000.

Since 2021, safety car duties in Formula 1 have been shared between Mercedes and Aston Martin, with the latter providing the Vantage model. However, the Mercedes safety car is faster, with a higher top speed, better acceleration, higher max RPM, and more horsepower.

Safety car testing

In the case of the Bahrain Grand Prix, there have been 14 safety car deployments since its inception. For instance, in 2007, Jenson Button and Scott Speed's separate incidents on the opening lap led to the first appearance of the safety car. Similarly, in 2014, a collision between Pastor Maldonado and Esteban Gutierrez during the first night race at the track resulted in the safety car being called out while the debris was cleared.

The safety car tests also extend to the vehicles themselves. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US conducts rigorous testing and ratings of vehicles, including safety cars, to ensure they meet specific safety standards. These tests evaluate crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash, and crash avoidance and mitigation technologies.

Ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin introduced a new safety car, the Vantage, which underwent testing in Bahrain. This upgraded model addressed the shortcomings of its predecessor, offering increased power, improved aerodynamics, and reduced weight. The Vantage was set to debut during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second race of the season.

Frequently asked questions