An Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car, utilized in Formula 1, was involved in a crash during preparations for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, driven by the seasoned racer Bernd Maylander. Dramatic footage of the incident reveals that as the car approached the high-speed Parabolica corner at the end of the back straight, it began to lose stability. Shortly thereafter, Maylander executed a Scandinavian Flick maneuver, which sent the Aston Martin into a slide. The vehicle then spun through the gravel trap and collided with the crash barriers at a significant speed.
Aston Martin has stated that it is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash but has not yet provided a detailed explanation of the events leading up to it. Speculation has arisen regarding a potential brake failure, as the car’s nose appeared to maintain a steady position rather than dipping down, indicating that Maylander may have been unable to decelerate adequately for the corner. Faced with the imminent crash, he might have opted to initiate the slide to reduce speed, fully aware that a collision with the barriers was unavoidable.
Fortunately, both Maylander and his passenger emerged from the wreckage unscathed. In an official statement, Aston Martin confirmed, “There was an on-track incident with the FIA Safety Car today at Monza. Aston Martin is investigating the cause but can confirm that both the driver and passenger are fine. An additional Safety Car is present at the circuit, ensuring that the weekend’s events will proceed as planned”.
The Aston Martin Vantage shares its role as a Safety Car with the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. For the 2024 season, the Vantage has been updated, featuring enhancements that boost its twin-turbocharged V8 engine to deliver an additional 153 horsepower and 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) of torque. This update comes in response to feedback from several F1 drivers who had previously criticized the pre-facelift Vantage for being underpowered, especially when compared to the more track-oriented Mercedes-AMG models.