F1 Beyond The Grid: Bernd Maylander on his 500th Race
In an episode of the F1: Beyond The Grid Podcast posted on April 14, 2026, Tom Clarkson honors Bernd Maylander after the German reached 500 races as the FIA Safety Car Driver at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Bernd reflects on how his role and the Safety Car itself have evolved since his first race back in 2000, sharing stories from the most iconic moments he's witnessed over 25 years.
From the pressure of launching the Safety Car at exactly the right moment to managing tricky wet conditions with limited visibility, Bernd opens up about the lesser-known challenges of his job.
He also admits that having the fastest drivers on earth glued to his rear wing never gets comfortable, especially when they start radioing in complaints about his speed.
