Bernd Maylander: Each track has its own character

      For 26 consecutive seasons, the safety car has been piloted by the German Bernd Mayländer. In an interview with Shortlist, he talked about his career, circuits, and how he pulled over Michael Schumacher...

      Bernd Mayländer: “Like many, I started with karting, but as a child I never participated in races and championships – it was our family hobby, we spent great time with my father. I never thought of becoming a racing driver, but I loved motorsport and got comfortable on the tracks, learning how to set up the car and understand the rules.

      Then someone suggested I try myself in Formula Ford 1600, which at the time was the most popular series after karting. I spent a year racing, learned a lot, and moved to GT cars — that was my dream. I won the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 1994 and competed in DTM for several years.

      In the late 90s, FIA race director Charlie Whiting suggested I become one of the safety car drivers — back then, there were two of us. I quickly got the hang of it and found my advantages — behind the wheel of the safety car, you'll never win a race, but you always lead!

      On the track, I report to the race control center, providing them with current information. They watch camera footage, and we feel everything live, helping them make the right decisions. For example, I immediately sense when a car begins aquaplaning, while on TV, you only see the rain.

      When drivers complain that I am driving slowly, there is always a reason. They always want to go faster, but I may need to bunch them up or they may not know where marshals are working on the circuit.

      I don’t practice on a simulator. We simply don’t have one. I already know the old circuits, and if we come to a new track, I first study the maps, and on Thursday morning, I do a shakedown — driving many laps to check timing systems, communications, and signals.

      Each circuit has its own character. My favorites are Suzuka and São Paulo, the Monaco track surrounded by walls, or Silverstone, which I also enjoy.

      The most memorable moment? There are many, but I often think back to the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. That was when Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari broke down; he stopped it and got out of the cockpit in the first chicane, but decided not to return to the paddock. Then my co-driver got out — now he’s supposed to stay, and I was able to pick up Michael. A few days after that race, he became world champion.