Who is Bernd Maylander?
Bernd Maylander has been the official Formula 1 safety car driver since 2000, making him one of the longest-serving personnel in the sport. A former racing driver himself, Maylander has competed in the DTM, the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and various touring car championships.
When the safety car is deployed, Maylander is responsible for leading the field at a pace that keeps the tires warm while not creating unnecessary gaps between cars. It is a job that requires intimate knowledge of every circuit, every corner, and every braking zone.
What the job involves
When race control deploys the safety car, Maylander has seconds to get into the car, start the engine, and enter the track. He then leads the field at a pace that is fast enough to keep the tires warm but slow enough to allow marshals to clear the incident.
The pace is deceptively difficult. Maylander must drive at the limit of adhesion on a track that may be wet, may have debris on it, and may have 20 F1 cars right behind him. He must know every corner's racing line, every braking zone, and every marshal post. And he must do it all while communicating with race control through his radio.
The most memorable moments
Maylander has been at the center of some of F1's most dramatic moments. The 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, where he was on track during Jules Bianchi's crash. The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, where he led the field past Romain Grosjean's burning car. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where his deployment on the penultimate lap set up one of the most controversial finishes in F1 history.
In each case, Maylander performed his role with the professionalism and precision that has defined his career.
Why the role matters
The safety car driver is one of the most important but overlooked people in F1. Without a skilled safety car driver, the field would bunch up too much or spread out too far, creating dangerous conditions or unfair advantages. Maylander's ability to maintain the perfect pace has been a critical factor in the safety and fairness of F1 racing for over two decades.