F1 Safety Car Driver Bernd Mayländer Speaks Of His Usual Race Day
Bernd Mayländer gives us an insight into the preparation and responsibility of his role driving the SLS AMG Formula One safety car ahead of this weekends Grand Prix in Hungary.
Sunday was an early start for them all at the track. One of the greatest parts of the whole weekend seeing how the circuit and the people slowly awoke and embraced the exciting day ahead. After the second GP2 race the Porsche Supercup took place and the Formula 1 race begun.
Charlie Whiting brought the official Formula 1 Safety Car to the starting grid meaning it was then all relying on Bernd Mayländer. He checked once more to see that the radio and camera worked properly and got the most recent weather update which is a very important part of his race preparation.
Mayländer then leaves the starting grid at 155pm. As soon as all of the drivers have passed the first curve he moves the Safety Car to the parking position for the rest of the race. He then observes the race on the TV monitor and communicates with Race Control throughout to monitor the frequencies making sure they are functioning properly.
Of strong preference to Mayländer if the race was finished without a Safety Car phase he would wait for the last race car and follow it. Mayländer would communicate with Race Control if an accident occurred or the weather worsened to give them his opinion of the situation. Race Control where the deciding factor as to whether he would be deployed or not.
The commands he gets from Race Control can include Safety Car stand by in which he prepares for deployment Safety Car stand-down meaning the dangerous situation no longer exists or Safety Car GO which informs Mayländer that he must immediately drive onto the track and quickly get in front of the leading car. During a Safety Car phase safety is the most important element but Mayländer must maintain a certain level of speed also. This is so the race cars do not overheat from the lack of cooling air and to prevent their tyre pressure from decreasing.
Mayländer then drives around the circuit until the hazardous situation has been overcome. Before taking the next possible exit Mayländer turns into the pit lane and the grid is released.If a support race is not necessary his day usually ends there. When his work is done he likes to spend his Sunday evenings at home.
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