P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has returned to being the sole supplier of Formula 1’s safety and medical cars.
Aston Martin issued an official statement regarding its departure as a Formula 1 safety car supplier, ending a partnership with Mercedes as of 2026. This decision makes Mercedes the exclusive supplier once more, as it was from 1996 to 2020. During Aston Martin’s five-year stint, issues arose concerning the weight and performance of their safety cars. The initial Vantage F1 Edition faced criticism for its performance gap compared to the Mercedes car, with Max Verstappen dubbing it the “green turtle.” Despite improvements in newer designs, the decision was made to end Aston Martin’s role as an F1 safety car supplier. In their statement, Aston Martin expressed gratitude for the successful association over the past five years.
