Formula One racing officials know how to pick them; the safety cars are typically fast, taut, world-class coupes, sedans, and supercars like the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and Aston Martin Vantage. At times they have to be pleasing to look at, considering the frustration to both driver and spectator when the safety vehicle has to slow down the pace of the race. Still, here are some of the coolest official F1 safety cars of recent years. 

• Aston Martin Vantage
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
• Lamborghini Diablo
• Lamborghini Countach
• Porsche 911

What safety car is used in F1 2022?

The latest safety cars that Formula 1 racing employed are the Aston Martin Vantage and the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series. Unfortunately for Aston Martin, the early 2022 season performance of the V8 Vantage prompted negative feedback from drivers who would stack up behind the green safety car. In one such instance, World Champion Max Verstappen called the Vantage a “turtle” that was too slow to allow drivers to keep heat in the tires. 

Although the FIA seemed fine with the Aston Martin’s performance, the Mercedes-Benz is another animal entirely. With a 730-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, and at 120 lbs lighter than the Aston Martin, the AMG GT is difficult to beat. 

When did F1 use a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a safety car?

When Formula 1 first introduced the official Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it was the most powerful safety car up to that point. According to Goodwood, F1 commissioned the vehicle in 2010, continuing a dominant Mercedes-Benz safety car tenure since 1997. The supercharged SLS continued to patrol circuits until F1 replaced it after its fifth season in 2014.  

Did the Lamborghini Diablo ever serve officially in F1?

One of the finest examples of hilarious automotive excessiveness to date, the Lamborghini Diablo is enough to grab attention without an official F1 livery. However, the officials found a way, and the low, wide Lamborghini supercar got a red and yellow safety car paint job, complete with roof lighting. Further, the Diablo served in the 1990s, just before Mercedes-Benz took over. 

When was the Lamborghini Countach a safety car? 

The Lamborghini Countach may have been better suited for bedroom posters than F1 safety car work, but it looked the part. Goodwood says that Formula 1 commissioned the Countach in 1983. Frankly, the Countach might be the only safety car distracting enough to cause a wreck itself. Still, with its unmistakable looks and V12 powerplant, it must have been quite an experience. 

What kind of Porsche 911 was the official vehicle for F1? 

The Porsche 911 served as an F1 safety car more than once. First, the 911 Turbo from the classically styled 930 generation hit the track in 1976. Goodwood chose the 993-generation Porsche 911 as another noteworthy candidate for the coolest safety cars. However, the 993 served nearly twenty years after the 930 car, keeping the peace in 1995. 

Of course, a modern 911 like a GT3 RS would be much better suited to leading the bleeding-edge F1 cars of today. However, the FIA seems pleased with the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series. Who knows if we’ll see a regime change from the German automaker in the upcoming seasons?  Scroll down to the following article to read more about F1!