For a quarter of a century, one driver has consistently led the pack in Formula 1, yet he has never scored a single championship point. The answer to this popular racing trivia is Bernd Mayländer, the man entrusted with piloting the iconic Safety Car, a role he has masterfully performed for 25 years.
The Unseen Leader of the Grid
At every one of Formula 1's current 24 circuits, you will find Bernd Mayländer poised in the pit lane. His mission is to spring into action at a moment's notice, guiding the world's 20 best drivers at a controlled speed while marshals clear debris or recover stricken cars from the track. His career has run parallel with legends, from racing against Michael Schumacher to leading Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen during their now-legendary final lap duel in 2021.
Renowned for his dry wit and unflappable composure in the most challenging conditions, Mayländer is a respected fixture in the F1 paddock. This past weekend, he was in Las Vegas for the latest round of the 2025 World Championship, where the Daily Mail was granted a rare opportunity: to join him for a breathtaking lap around the famous street circuit.
A 180mph Tour of the Las Vegas Strip
For this exclusive experience, courtesy of Pirelli and Hilton Grand Vacations, Mayländer was behind the wheel of his usual machine: the scorching red Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series safety car. This formidable vehicle carries a price tag of $325,000 for its most basic version, a testament to its performance pedigree.
It is nearly impossible to articulate the velocity a road car can achieve on this circuit, let alone the extreme forces an F1 driver endures. While the passenger was not subjected to the same five-G forces, Mayländer did not hold back. With no prior training and admittedly sub-par fitness, the journalist was pinned against the passenger window through the circuit's 17 brutal corners.
Reaching 150mph on the first straight, the German driver casually took his right hand off the wheel, downplaying their incredible speed. When the passenger remarked, 'It's so much faster than you'd expect,' a comment Mayländer has likely heard a thousand times, he replied with a seasoned perspective: 'Yeah, but believe me, Formula 1... that's fast.' All the while, he maintained the calm demeanour of a man on a Sunday afternoon drive.
Gliding Past Traffic on the Final Straight
Perhaps the most surreal moment occurred on the second half of the lap. As the car sped down the Las Vegas Strip at 180mph, Mayländer effortlessly accelerated past a regular McLaren, overtaking it without a second glance. In that moment, the Mercedes became the hunter, a George Russell to the McLaren's Lando Norris, offering a fleeting taste of F1-track glory.
Slamming on the brakes at the end of the straight, Mayländer navigated the final corner and came to a halt in front of the paddock. Inside, stars like Verstappen, Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc were preparing for their own sessions. Stepping out onto the warm tarmac, the overwhelming feeling was one of gratitude—for the glimpse into this glamorous, high-octane world, and for the simple comfort of solid ground beneath their feet.
It is said that Bernd Mayländer has driven over 1,400 laps on F1 tracks across the globe, some slow and procedural, others blisteringly fast. While many may be more memorable for him, for one lucky passenger, this Las Vegas lap will forever be the one that stands out.
