F1 | Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel named most vocal drivers behind the Safety Car. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were named by Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer as the most vocal during caution periods.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, two of the most successful drivers in the history of the FIA Formula One World Championship, have just received a rather ironic and certainly unwanted form of recognition. The man behind the award is Bernd Mayländer, the long-serving Safety Car driver who has held the role since the 2000 Formula 1 season.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the former Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) driver did not mince words when asked to name the drivers who are the most difficult to manage during Safety Car periods. “I would say immediately Sebastian and Lewis,” said Bernd Mayländer. “But I don’t blame them for it.”

While this remark may seem humorous, it offers a glimpse into the mindset of two of the most detail-oriented and performance-driven drivers the sport has seen. Mayländer, who has piloted both the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and the Aston Martin Vantage as official Formula 1 Safety Cars in recent seasons, explained how even when pushing these vehicles close to their limits—up to 95% of their maximum performance—the reduced pace can become frustrating for Formula 1 drivers, especially during sensitive phases when it is critical to keep tyre temperatures in the ideal range.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, both known for their meticulous approach to racing and relentless pursuit of performance, have frequently featured in animated team radio exchanges during Safety Car phases. Their concerns often center around the slow pace of the Safety Car, which affects tyre grip, brake temperature, and overall car balance when racing resumes.

In fact, Hamilton holds another curious record in this context. In a 2023 interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Bernd Mayländer humorously recalled: “Lewis always hides a little behind the car. You constantly need to check your mirrors to know where he is,” he said with a smile, pointing to the British driver’s habit of dropping back slightly to manage temperatures or prepare for the restart.

Now competing for Scuderia Ferrari in the 2025 Formula One season, Lewis Hamilton is chasing what would be his historic eighth World Championship title—a feat that would place him above all others in the record books. However, with half the season already completed, his prospects seem delayed at least until 2026. At present, the seven-time World Champion occupies sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship standings, trailing the current leader, Australian driver Oscar Piastri, by 131 points.

As Hamilton navigates his new chapter with the iconic Maranello-based team, and as he endures a season marked by missed podiums and technical challenges, he also carries with him a quirky distinction: being, alongside Sebastian Vettel, the driver who complains the most behind the Safety Car. While clearly tongue-in-cheek, the label says a great deal about the competitive nature, exacting standards, and unwavering hunger that define two of the most determined champions in the modern era of Formula One racing.