F1's Infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Safety Car, the Aston Martin Vantage 'SC02', Enters Public Market for £599,990

An Aston Martin Vantage, which played a central and controversial role as the Formula 1 safety car in the decisive 2021 season finale at Abu Dhabi, has been made available for sale, listed on Auto Trader with an asking price of £599,990. This specific vehicle, bearing the designation ‘SC02’ and VIN N00045, is one of two such safety cars from the Silverstone-based outfit now accessible to the public, offering a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of motorsport history. The cars have been further enhanced with signatures from current Aston Martin F1 drivers, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll, adding to their collector’s appeal.

The 4-litre, V8-powered coupe served as an official Formula 1 safety car for 34 races between the 2021 and 2023 seasons, consistently piloted by the sport’s long-serving safety car driver, Bernd Mayländer. According to the sale advertisement, ‘SC02’ participated in 20 Grand Prix events during its operational tenure, accumulating 4,280 kilometres across track tests and race deployments, not only for Formula 1 but also for its support series, including Formula 2 and Formula 3. Its extensive operational history underscores its integral role in ensuring safety across various top-tier motorsport categories.

However, the car’s most indelible mark on Formula 1 history stems from its deployment during the highly contentious 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The season-ending race at the Yas Marina Circuit was the culmination of one of the most intense and closely fought championship battles in recent memory, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen entering the event tied on points. The victor of the race would be crowned world champion.

In the closing stages of the Grand Prix, a critical incident occurred when Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed, prompting the deployment of the safety car, the very Aston Martin Vantage now for sale. At this point, Lewis Hamilton was leading the race comfortably, seemingly en route to securing a record eighth world championship title. Verstappen, running second, had pitted for fresh, softer tyres during the safety car period, a strategic move that would prove pivotal.

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As the laps dwindled under safety car conditions, it appeared increasingly likely that the race would conclude without a return to green-flag racing. Such an outcome would have ensured Hamilton’s victory and the championship. However, then-Race Director Michael Masi made a controversial decision that dramatically altered the race’s trajectory. Instead of adhering to the standard procedure of allowing all lapped cars to unlap themselves, or none at all, Masi ordered only the five lapped cars positioned between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves. This decision left Verstappen directly behind Hamilton with just one racing lap remaining.

The implications of this directive were immediate and profound. Verstappen, on significantly fresher and softer tyres, had a distinct performance advantage over Hamilton, whose tyres were considerably older. When the safety car pulled into the pits and racing resumed for the final lap, Verstappen swiftly overtook Hamilton, clinching the race victory and securing his maiden Formula 1 World Championship title. The decision by Masi, and the subsequent events, ignited a firestorm of debate within the motorsport community, leading to extensive reviews by the FIA and ultimately Masi’s removal from his role. The controversy remains a significant talking point in Formula 1 history, making the ‘SC02’ a tangible link to one of the sport’s most debated moments.

The availability of ‘SC02’ for sale also marks a broader shift in Formula 1’s safety car provision. Aston Martin had been supplying official safety and medical cars to Formula 1 since the 2021 season, coinciding with their return to the sport as a factory constructor. Their contract is set to conclude after the 2025 season. During their tenure, the distinctive Aston Martin Racing Green Vantage and DBX medical cars became familiar sights on the F1 grid, amplifying the brand’s presence and association with the pinnacle of motorsport.

Reflecting on their role, Aston Martin issued a statement acknowledging their contribution: "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." This sentiment highlights the marketing and brand-building opportunities that come with such a prominent role in a global sport like Formula 1.

Following Aston Martin’s departure, Mercedes will resume its role as the exclusive provider of safety and medical vehicles for the championship. Mercedes has a long and established history in this capacity, having first introduced its vehicles as official safety cars in 1996. From the 2026 season onwards, the FIA F1 Official Cars will once again exclusively bear the Mercedes-Benz star at all F1 events. The German manufacturer will continue to supply the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series as the F1 safety car and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ as the F1 medical car.

Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, underscored the importance of this ongoing partnership. "Safety is an absolutely central value of our brand and our products," Sagemüller stated. "That is why we have been providing the Official FIA F1 Safety and Medical Car in Formula 1 since 1996. From the 2026 season onwards, the FIA F1 Official Cars will once again bear the star at all F1 events. In this way, we will continue to make an active contribution to safety in the premier class of motorsport. For Mercedes-AMG, Formula 1 is not only a sporting platform, but also an environment in which the performance, reliability, and safety of our vehicles become visible under extreme conditions." His comments reiterate Mercedes’ commitment to safety and leverage the high-profile nature of F1 to showcase their automotive capabilities.

The sale of ‘SC02’ at nearly £600,000 positions it as a highly exclusive collector’s item. While a standard Aston Martin Vantage carries a significant price tag, the unique provenance of this particular vehicle—its direct involvement in a world championship decider and its operational history across multiple F1 seasons—elevates its value considerably. For serious motorsport enthusiasts, collectors of unique automobilia, or investors in high-value historical assets, the opportunity to own a car that played such a tangible role in a pivotal moment of Formula 1 history is rare. The signatures of two active F1 drivers, one a multi-world champion and the other a current team principal’s son, further enhance its desirability and potential future appreciation. This Aston Martin Vantage is not merely a high-performance sports car; it is a meticulously documented relic from a chapter of Formula 1 that continues to resonate.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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