Few car companies can genuinely claim to have shaped the entire automotive industry. But when your story begins with the very first petrol-powered automobile, you’ve earned that bragging right.
At the 2026 Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes-Benz Australia is celebrating 140 years since the birth of the motor car. As part of the event, the company is showcasing heritage vehicles and milestones, which include the world’s first automobile replica, a rare 1957 prototype, and an iconic F1 safety car.
The moment the automobile was born
On 28 January 1886, Carl Benz filed a patent for his invention, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely recognised as the world’s first automobile. At the time, many observers were sceptical about whether the new machine would be practical for everyday use. But Benz had an important ally, his wife, Bertha Benz!
She recognised the significance of her husband’s invention and believed the new vehicle needed real-world proof that it could travel reliably over long distances.
The first road trip in history
Bertha Benz quietly took the motor car from their home in Mannheim and set off for Pforzheim, the town where she was born, accompanied by her two teenage sons, Eugen and Richard. This journey would become the first long-distance drive ever completed by an automobile.
Along the way, Bertha didn’t just prove the car worked; she also helped improve it. She suggested:
- Adding a lower gear for climbing hills, rather than relying on the existing two-speed transmission
- Improving braking performance
She also played a role in establishing one of the earliest examples of refuelling infrastructure. During the journey, Bertha purchased ligroin (a benzine-based cleaning fluid) from a chemist in Wiesloch to keep the vehicle running. That pharmacy is widely regarded as the world’s first petrol station.
Between 1886 and 1894, around 25 examples of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen were built with different engine variants, making it the first automobile ever produced and sold in series.
A rare 1957 Mercedes-Benz prototype
Visitors to the Mercedes-AMG Lounge at the Grand Prix will also be able to see a rare historic vehicle: the Mercedes-Benz 220 SL Prototype from 1957. The vehicle originally travelled to Macau, most likely for participation in the Macau Grand Prix.
This experimental roadster was part of the W127 development program, and only four prototype vehicles were ever built. The car on display is particularly special because:
- It is the only right-hand-drive example ever produced
- It is the only known surviving 220 SL prototype
More: 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line Plus Edition launched
30 years of the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Safety Car
Motorsport fans will also see a display celebrating three decades of safety innovation in F1. At the Mercedes-AMG Grandstand, visitors will be able to see a replica of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-Door Coupé Medical Car. The high-performance machine features:
- A 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine
- Up to 470 kW of power
- 0–100 km/h acceleration in 3.2 seconds
According to Mercedes-AMG, this makes it the most powerful medical car used in Formula 1.
The F1 Safety Car debuted at the 1996 French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours. The first official car used in the role was the Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG, which served as both the FIA Safety Car and Medical Car.
Over the past 30 years, a few high-performance AMG models have filled the role, including:
- Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Between 1996 and 2026, Formula 1 has used 13 different Safety Car models and 8 different Medical Car models.
The latest addition to the fleet is the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which has been used since the 2022 F1 season. In 2026, Mercedes-AMG will once again serve as the sole supplier of the official Formula 1 Safety Car and Medical Car at every Grand Prix.
The global “140 Years, 140 Places” drive
Beyond the Grand Prix celebrations, Mercedes-Benz is also celebrating its 140th anniversary with a worldwide drive called “140 Years, 140 Places.” Three S-Class sedans began a global journey spanning more than 50,000 kilometres across six continents on 29 January 2026. The group will arrive in Australia later this year.
More: 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets V8
Beginning of the 2026 F1 season
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, from March 6–8, 2026. The season is scheduled to conclude with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6, 2026.
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