F1 2026: Safety car shake-up as Aston Martin withdraw

Credit for photo: Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team — Photo: © IMAGO

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Aston Martin withdraw F1 safety car ahead of 2026 season

Aston Martin and Mercedes are normally the two safety car options

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Tuesday 20 January 2026 18:56 Updated: 19:18

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Aston Martin have opted not to renew their contract with F1 for the supply of safety cars ahead of the 2026 championship.

Since 2021, Aston Martin have shared responsibility with Mercedes for F1's safety cars and medical cars, with the contract meaning the respective brands would be used at alternating race weekends.

Aston Martin would supply a Vantage car - later an improved Vantage S - while Mercedes provide F1 with a Mercedes AMG GT Black Series.

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However, from 2026, only Mercedes will be provide the safety cars, with Aston Martin stepping back from its involvement.

An official statement read: "Aston Martin’s agreement with Formula 1 to provide the official FIA safety and medical car concluded at the end of the 2025 season.

"Having amplified the brand’s return to F1, we are grateful for the association and success of holding this critical role on the grid for the past five years."

It is unclear the exact reason as to why Aston Martin opted not to renew their contract, but the existing deal was only due to run until the end of 2025.

2026 F1 car regulation changes

Of course, it's not just the safety car that will look slightly different during the 2026 season.

F1 cars are having a complete revamp when it comes to their aerodynamic design, while the wholesale regulation changes also see power units having a much greater emphasis on electrical energy.

Cars will be 30kg lighter during the upcoming season, the wheelbase will be reduced by 20cm and the car width will be reduced by 10cm.

The maximum floor width will also be reduced by 15cm, while the width of the front tyres will be decreased by 2.5cm and the rears by 3cm

F1 front wings will be 10cm narrower and will feature a two element active flap. The rear wing will then have a three element flap and the lower beam wing has been removed.

The removal of this is key, to ensure that a following car will encounter less turbulence or 'dirty air', a major impediment to overtaking during the 2025 season. There is also 'active aerodynamics' on the new cars, with two modes, straight mode and corner mode.

Straight mode is when the front and rear wing flaps open to reduce overall drag and increases top speed, which will be made available to all drivers.

Corner mode takes place at the corners, where the front and rear wing flaps close which increases downforce and therefore cornering speeds.

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