Iconic Safety Car from Dramatic 2021 Season Finale Listed for Nearly £600,000

The Mercedes-AMG safety vehicle that featured prominently in the contentious 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—the race where Max Verstappen claimed the championship at Lewis Hamilton's expense—is now available for purchase. The asking price for this historically significant Formula 1 artifact stands at approximately £600,000.

A piece of Formula 1 history with considerable notoriety has entered the marketplace. The safety car that played a central role in the tumultuous conclusion to the 2021 season is being offered for sale, commanding an asking price in the region of £600,000.

The vehicle carries immense significance within the sport, having been deployed during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale that dramatically altered the championship narrative. That race witnessed Max Verstappen seize the world championship title in circumstances that overshadowed Lewis Hamilton's season-long campaign, making this particular safety car an artifact of one of motorsport's most talked-about moments.

The listing represents an unusual opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a tangible connection to a pivotal chapter in recent F1 history, regardless of which side of the controversial finish one may have found themselves.

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Related Regulations

sporting Regulations

Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.

Full Regulation Text

Sporting Regulations

Article 57.1

FIA Source

Safety Car Deployment

Chapter: Chapter V - Safety

In Simple Terms

The Safety Car is deployed when conditions are too dangerous for racing at full speed - usually after crashes, debris on track, or bad weather. All cars must slow down and line up behind it. Racing only resumes when Race Control decides it's safe and withdraws the Safety Car.

Deployed for track incidents or dangerous conditions
Neutralises the race - no overtaking
All cars must line up behind Safety Car
Race resumes when track deemed safe

Official FIA Text

The safety car may be deployed by the Race Director when ordered by the clerk of the course if he deems it necessary to neutralise a race. This will normally be when an incident has occurred which has left damaged cars or debris on the track, or when weather conditions make racing unsafe. The safety car will circulate at the head of the field until the track is deemed safe.

VSCred flagrestart proceduretrack limitssafety carSCneutralisationyellow flagincident

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B5.13

FIA Source

Safety Car (SC)

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

The Safety Car is deployed when there's a dangerous situation on the track involving drivers or officials, but it's not serious enough to stop the race completely. It brings all the cars together at a controlled speed while the danger is being cleared.

Safety Car is used for immediate physical danger to competitors or officials
The danger must be on or near the track
It's only deployed when the race can continue (not serious enough to suspend)
It's an alternative to fully suspending the race under Article B5.13

Official FIA Text

The safety car will be used only if Competitors or officials are in immediate physical danger on or near the track but the circumstances are not such as to necessitate suspending the TTCS.

safety carsc proceduretrack dangerimmediate dangerofficials safety

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B5.13.1

FIA Source

Deployment of Safety Car

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

The Race Director can deploy the Safety Car to neutralize dangerous situations on track (like crashes or debris). When this happens, all teams receive an official 'SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED' message to inform them of the decision.

Only the Race Director can order the Safety Car to be deployed
The Safety Car is used to neutralize Track To Car Situations (TTCS) and other dangerous conditions
An official 'SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED' message is sent to all teams when activated
This is a safety measure, not a penalty

Official FIA Text

The safety car may be brought into operation to neutralise a TTCS upon the order of the Race Director. When the order is given to deploy the safety car the message "SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED" will be sent to all Competitors.

safety cardeployedrace directorneutralisettcs

2026 Season Regulations