Mayländer: 'I've never been so nervous before a season'.

For the upcoming Formula 1 season a new safety car is ready to intervene if things go wrong during a race. It is up to driver Bernd Mayländer to take the new Aston Martin Vantage onto the track alongside the Mercedes AMG GT-R and that makes him quite nervous.

The German driver said in conversation with Formula 1 that he was never more nervous before driving in a safety car than now with the Aston Martin. Mayländer is positive about the car after a test.

"I felt comfortable very quickly. When I wanted to turn right, the Vantage did exactly as I wanted. With the street tyres it took about fifteen to twenty laps. Of course there are (different between the two safety cars, ed.), it already started when entering the car. Both cars are great to drive, the difference is in the details."

New safety car not a Mercedes for the first time in a long time

The Aston Martin is not a Mercedes this time, whereas it usually is. Aston Martin is new to the sport as a safety car, according to Mayländer, so he is a little nervous for that first drive of the season.

"I've never been as nervous before a season as I am this time. Just because it's something completely new. I've been driving a Mercedes-AMG for an incredibly long time, but now another great brand has come on board. It's an enrichment for Formula 1."

Mayländer incidentally thinks it's a great development that Aston Martin is now back both as a racing stable and appearing as a safety car in the process. It contributes to the sport and ensures it is enriched.