MERCEDES-BENZ

MB AMG GT Black Series appears for the first time as official F1 Safety Car

As the new F1 season begins at the 2022 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes-AMG will contribute to safety with two exceptionally performing models that have already tested their credentials, we are talking about the new Mercedes-AMG Safety Car.

The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series appears for the first time as an official F1 Safety Car, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC makes its debut as an official medical car.

From a technical point of view, both cars are almost standard. However, they have extensive specific equipment for their respective work on the track. The safety car's most notable feature is the absence of the usual light bar on the roof, which interfered with the aerodynamic balance of the AMG GT Black Series. All signaling functions are done via diodes on the windshield.

Two small video cameras are installed on the right side of the airfoil and their images are shown inside the car. One camera serves as an electronic rear-view mirror for the co-pilot, while the other shows a live TV broadcast.

The interior of the official Safety Car is the same as the standard AMG GT Black Series with the optional Track package that includes rollover protection.

The only new features are the six-point seat belts stipulated by the FIA, two tablets in the center console and the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat.

The lightweight bucket seats are part of the Track package which can also be ordered by any customer. In the official F1 safety car, however, a small cup holder was installed in the side spaces to accommodate a water bottle. The control of the light signal is carried out through a panel mounted on the front part of the interior roof, with color-coded round buttons that allow precise change when wearing racing gloves.

The top model of the two-door AMG GT series was developed specifically for life on the racetrack, with 730 hp, a stiffer body, the new highly adjustable suspension, intelligent lightweight engineering and active aerodynamics. No other AMG model is currently as close to motorsports. That goes for everything from the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission to the stainless steel two-pipe exhaust system with titanium muffler.

The standard production version of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 325 km/h.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC makes its Formula 1 debut as the second official car, taking the place of its predecessor, the AMG C 63 S. is manned by up to three doctors.

To ensure that no time is lost in the event of an emergency, the medical car is equipped with maximum performance on the racetrack. The 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine delivers a maximum output of 639 hp, with the four-door coupe accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds with standard equipment. Its top speed is 315 km/h. As with the Safety Car, its V8 engine, AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, dynamic engine mounts and electronic rear locking differential are the same as in the normal road version. Another advantage over the rear-wheel drive C 63 S is the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Rescuers are held securely in place, even at high speeds, by four bucket seats, including six-point belts in the front seats and four-point belts in the rear. For maximum safety, the seat consoles are welded to the floor of the car.

Just like last year, the Mercedes-AMG Official F1 Safety Car and Official F1 Medical Car will enter the 2022 season in their distinctive red livery.

Autonews