F1 safety car crashes during Monza high-speed test

The Formula 1 safety car crashed during the regular high-speed test ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

F1 and the FIA always run a high-speed track test on the Thursday of a race weekend, allowing the safety car and the medical car to complete a number of laps and ensure all race control systems are operating correctly. On the latest occasions at Monza, the safety car -- at the hands of experienced driver Bernd Maylander -- spun off the track at high speed at Parabolica.

The car slid through the gravel and into the mix of Techpro and tire barrier, with both Maylander and his passenger unhurt in the incident and able to climb out of the car unaided.

“There was an on-track incident with the FIA safety car today at Monza,” the FIA confirmed in a statement, “Aston Martin is investigating the cause but can confirm both driver and passenger are fine. There is an additional safety car at the circuit and it will not impact the weekend's event.”

The FIA always brings two of each of the safety car and medical car to grand prix events, ensuring there is a back-up incase of any incidents. Aston Martin became one of the safety car suppliers in 2021, joining previous manufacturer Mercedes in a shared agreement across each season.