Deploy Folding Table of contents
For the first time in nine races, Formula 1 has not seen the deployment of a safety car. The last lengthy pause between safety car appearances occurred between the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003 and the Spanish Grand Prix in 2004. Bernd Mayländer, who has been at the wheel of the safety car for an impressive twenty-five seasons, finds himself in a fortunate position – his weekend is considered successful if he remains in the pits throughout.
A Milestone in Motorsports
In the year 2000, a then-28-year-old Bernd Mayländer took the reins of the safety car for the first time. At that time, he was still competing in the DTM series, but fast forward twenty-five years, he is now solely dedicated to his crucial role in the world of Formula 1. “I never imagined I’d still be here after a quarter of a century, which .comy shows how much I enjoy what I do,” he stated in a press release from Mercedes. “Initially, we had sixteen races per season, but now that number has grown to twenty-four, making this my primary vocation.”
The Ideal Scenario
The recent trend of having fewer safety car interventions does not pose any issues for Mayländer. He understands that a successful race means there have been no incidents requiring his presence on track. “The perfect situation is when I can complete a few laps, ensure everything is operating smoothly, and relay accurate information to the race control team and marshals,” he elaborates. “However, the truly best races are the ones where I don’t need to step in at all, as that signifies that the track conditions are safe.”
Evolving Technology
Over the past twenty-five years, not .comy has the number of races increased, but the role of the safety car driver has also transformed significantly. “While the objective remains unchanged, there have been numerous advancements outside of that,” says Mayländer. “We now have access to a wealth of information; in 2000, we had just one radio and a handheld unit as a backup. Today, we utilize a range of communication systems. Moreover, with the introduction of the virtual safety car, we find ourselves on track less frequently.”
Memorable Moments in the Driver’s Seat
Reflecting on his extensive career, Mayländer shares some standout memories from the last twenty-five years. “I will never forget the races at Fuji in 2007 and Montreal in 2011,” he recalls. It’s easy to see why these moments stand out. In Japan, he led the pack for the first nineteen laps before making additional six laps on the track. Four years later, in Canada, the safety car made six appearances, during which he led an impressive twenty-nine laps out of seventy.
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