Formula 1's veteran safety car driver has no plans to step away just yet.
Bernd Maylander, a German ex-racer, has held the safety car driver position full-time since 2000.
Now, as he prepares for another trip to Melbourne, he looks back on his emotions at Albert Park from 25 years ago.
"I was full of pride to be on the grid and suddenly in a driver's briefing with all the superstars like Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard," the 53-year-old told DPA news agency.
"I introduced myself quite normally - 'I'm the guy up the front who's holding you back,'" Maylander said with a laugh.
He admits he still loves the job, though he notes his favourite races "are the ones without a safety car".
"Fortunately, I'm not paid by the lap, otherwise I would have made a big loss last year because I didn't even have to get out there for nine Formula 1 races," Maylander added.
"Of course it's fun to drive, but when nothing happens on the track, that's the greatest satisfaction."
Married with children, Maylander insists he remains committed to Formula 1 for now.
"Standing still has never been an option for me," he said.
When asked how long he'll keep leading grands prix without ever crossing the finish line first, he replied: "I've already thought about this question in all sorts of different ways.
"I still have a contract for 2025 and 2026 and I know that I could continue after that."
