When the FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2022 ignited the season from March 18th to 20th, Mercedes-AMG reaffirmed its commitment to safety in the FIA Formula One World Championship™ by deploying two exceptional performance vehicles. These models, already renowned for their track prowess, took on crucial roles: the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series debuted as the Official F1® Safety Car, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ marked its first appearance as the Official F1® Medical Car. For the 2022 season, Formula 1® benefited from the most potent iterations of these vehicles ever produced, ensuring unparalleled safety standards.
Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, emphasized the brand’s deep connection to motorsport and safety: “Mercedes-AMG has celebrated remarkable achievements in the FIA Formula One World Championship in recent years. Eight constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles in the last eight years speak volumes. This success on motorsport’s grandest stage directly fuels the technology and image of our production vehicles. Motorsport is integral to Mercedes-AMG, and so is delivering the highest level of safety. Extending our commitment as the provider of the safety car and medical car for over 25 years was a natural decision, especially with two such outstanding vehicles leading our lineup.”
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Motorsport of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, further highlighted the brand’s long-standing dedication: “Since 1996, Mercedes-AMG has been a constant presence in Formula 1, providing essential vehicles for critical moments. As the Official F1 Safety Car, our performance vehicles expertly guide the Formula 1 pack in challenging conditions or incidents. Simultaneously, our Official F1 Medical Car provides rapid on-site medical support when every second counts. For the 2022 season, we elevated our game, deploying the most powerful AMG GT Black Series and AMG GT 63 S models to date. Their track performance truly reflects their motorsport DNA more profoundly than ever before. While their capabilities are exceptional, we sincerely hope their intervention remains minimal.”
Bernd Mayländer, the seasoned driver of the FIA Formula One World Championship™ Official Safety Car since 2000, expressed his enthusiasm: “I am thrilled to continue piloting the Formula 1 safety car for the 2022 season. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is an incredible machine, and I’m particularly excited to be at its helm. Having tested it extensively, I’m astounded by its race car proximity. It represents a significant leap from last year’s GT R, which was already exceptionally capable. Having such a high-performance vehicle dedicated to safety is truly a dream come true.”
Innovative Safety Signaling Integrated into the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
While fundamentally production vehicles, both the Safety Car and Medical Car feature bespoke equipment tailored for their critical track duties. A striking innovation in the Official F1® Safety Car is the seamless integration of signaling systems, eliminating the traditional roof-mounted light bar that would disrupt the AMG GT Black Series’ refined aerodynamics. Engineers in Affalterbach ingeniously embedded the essential signaling into the vehicle’s structure. Front signaling is incorporated into the upper windscreen area, while rear-facing lights are elegantly integrated within the rear spoiler. All signaling functions utilize rapid-response, energy-efficient LED technology.
Advanced LED Light Modules for Clear Communication
The front module, positioned at sun visor level, features three compact orange light modules and a larger green module on each side of the iconic AMG logo. The rear spoiler’s main upper blade incorporates thirteen orange LEDs: three steady-burning lights on each outer edge and seven central lights that flash as required. Additionally, four wider green LED modules are integrated. Two miniature video cameras, subtly placed in the spoiler strut on the right side, transmit crucial images to the interior. One camera acts as an electronic rearview mirror for the co-driver, displaying on a small monitor in the headliner, while the other provides a live TV feed. For spectators, side window light modules display “SC” in orange when the Safety Car is deployed.
Comprehensive Safety Light Functionality
The intelligent safety light system uses distinct colors to convey critical information:
- Orange: Activated upon Safety Car deployment, flashing orange LEDs at the rear center and steady orange lights at the front signal “no overtaking allowed”.
- Green: When the Safety Car enters mid-field during a safety car phase, green modules illuminate front and rear, indicating drivers may overtake the Safety Car.
All light modules are fully dimmable, allowing intensity adjustment for varying conditions, from nighttime floodlit races to bright daylight. The rear number plate mirrors the signaling, illuminating orange or green in sync with the safety lights. Rapid flashing headlights and rear lights further enhance visibility when the Safety Car is on track.
Standard Interior Enhanced with Track-Ready Features
The Official F1® Safety Car’s interior mirrors the standard AMG GT Black Series, featuring the optional Track Package with rollover protection. This titanium tubular roll cage, including a main frame, belt-fixture brace, rear braces, and a diagonal cross, enhances vehicle stiffness and passive safety.
Cockpit Technology for Race Monitoring and Communication
Unique additions include FIA-mandated six-point safety harnesses and dual tablets in the center console and passenger instrument panel. These enable co-driver Richard Darker to monitor the Formula 1® race. The left tablet displays the international TV feed, while the right monitor alternates between an animated track representation of car positions and current lap times. An InCar Hotspot with WLAN manages data for visual communication. Bernd Mayländer focuses on driving and rearview awareness, while Richard Darker maintains radio contact with race control, using red buttons and rotary knobs in the center console for radio commands. A second radio system serves as backup.
Lightweight bucket seats, part of the standard Track Package, are fitted, with a small cup holder integrated into the side cushion for hydration. A headliner-mounted panel with color-coded buttons controls light signaling, designed for gloved operation.
FIA-Standard Systems Mirroring Formula 1® Race Cars
Further FIA-specific systems, identical to those in Formula 1® race cars, are integrated, including a transponder for timekeeping, high-resolution GPS, telemetry, and a “marshalling system.” The marshalling system uses colored LEDs to display track flag signals, while a “medical warning light” flashes upon critical g-force impacts, alerting the crew to potential incidents.
Engineered for Demanding Racetrack Performance
The FIA demands exceptional performance from the Safety Car – high cornering speeds, rapid acceleration, and fast lap times are crucial. The Safety Car must effectively lead top-tier race cars in extreme situations without hindering them. Driving too slowly can cause Formula 1 car tires and brakes to cool excessively and engines to overheat.
The AMG GT Black Series is perfectly equipped for these demands. Its front-mid-engine with transaxle configuration, V8 biturbo engine with dry-sump lubrication, dual-clutch transmission, and finely tuned chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension ensure rapid racetrack performance. Intelligent lightweight construction provides low vehicle weight, a low center of gravity, and optimal weight distribution.
Unrivaled Motorsport Pedigree in a Road-Legal AMG
The AMG GT Black Series, the pinnacle of the two-door AMG GT range, is engineered for the racetrack. With 537 kW (730 hp), a reinforced body, adjustable suspension, intelligent lightweight engineering, and active aerodynamics, it’s the closest road-legal AMG to pure motorsport. This extends from the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission to the lightweight stainless steel exhaust with titanium silencer. The manually adjustable suspension features adaptive dampers and customizable camber and anti-roll bar settings. Enhanced handling and performance are further achieved through pivot bearings, carbon-fiber shear plates, and adapted engine and transmission mounts.
Track-Optimized Suspension, Brakes, and Aerodynamics
Affalterbach’s suspension specialists developed a specific setup for the Official F1® Safety Car, paired with Pirelli P Zero tires, optimized for all racetracks and conditions. Standard AMG ceramic high-performance composite brakes and finely tuned aerodynamics, including a large front skirt, flaps, a bigger front splitter, and a rear skirt tear-off edge, are retained from the road car. The two-blade rear wing with an electronically controlled flap provides optimal downforce and balance.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series production version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 325 km/h, easily meeting the performance needs of its Safety Car role.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+: The New Official F1® Medical Car
Debuting in Formula 1®, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ replaced the C 63 S AMG Wagon as the Official F1® Medical Car. This rapid response vehicle carries up to three medics, including FIA Medical Rescue Coordinator Dr. Ian Roberts, and one or two local medics in the rear.
The Medical Car trails the Formula 1® field on the opening lap, ensuring immediate medical access during this critical race phase. During the race, it remains on standby in the pit lane alongside the Safety Car.
Formula 1®’s Fastest, Most Powerful Medical Car
The Official F1® Medical Car is engineered for speed and effectiveness. Its 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine delivers 470 kW (639 hp), accelerating the four-door coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h. Like the Safety Car, it utilizes the standard V8 engine, AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, dynamic engine mounts, and electronic rear locking differential. AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive provides superior traction and safety in adverse conditions, a significant advantage over the rear-wheel-drive C 63 S predecessor.
Standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension offers ideal track performance with a full complement of personnel and equipment. AMG high-performance ceramic brakes ensure rapid deceleration.
Aerodynamic Enhancements and Emergency Equipment
The Medical Car distinguishes itself with FIA and F1® logos, a roof-mounted light bar on a carbon-fiber scoop (aerodynamically optimized in wind-tunnel testing), and a fixed rear wing blade at maximum angle for downforce. The optional Aerodynamic Package mirrors the road-going version. Signal-function headlights and rear lights and an illuminated “medical car” rear number plate are also unique. The spacious trunk houses comprehensive emergency equipment, including a defibrillator, breathing apparatus, rescue cutter, and fire extinguishers. Flashing lights activate when the rear lid is open.
Interior Designed for Medical Response
Four racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses in front and four-point harnesses in the rear secure occupants. Seat consoles are welded to the car floor for maximum safety. An FIA switch unit and a radio for race management communication are included. Three dashboard tablets and an electronic rearview mirror monitor provide race information. Like the Safety Car, it features InCar Hotspot and WLAN.
Gloves with sensors worn by Formula 1® drivers transmit vital signs to paramedics in the Medical Car in real-time, enabling informed first-response decisions.
Striking Livery and Shared Commitment with Aston Martin
Both the Mercedes-AMG Official F1® Safety Car and Medical Car sported distinctive red paintwork in the 2022 season, aligning with Mercedes-AMG and CrowdStrike, the Safety Car’s sponsor. CrowdStrike’s white lettering and logos, signifying their cybersecurity partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, were prominently featured. The Medical Car displayed FIA Formula One World Championship™ emblems and AMG logos. Black aerodynamic elements and lower bodywork, along with red-edged black AMG alloy wheels, completed the visual package.
Throughout race weekends, these vehicles ensure safety for Formula 1® and support races, maintained by three specialized AMG technicians. Mercedes-AMG shares Safety Car and Medical Car duties with Aston Martin, reflecting a broad technical collaboration including Mercedes-AMG engine supply to Aston Martin.
The FIA Formula One World Championship™ Official Safety Cars from Mercedes-AMG:
| Year | Model |
|---|---|
| 1996 | C 36 AMG (W 202) |
| 1997-1999 | CLK 55 AMG (C 208) |
| 2000 | CL 55 AMG (C 215) |
| 2001-2002 | SL 55 AMG (R 230) |
| 2003 | CLK 55 AMG (C 209) |
| 2004-2005 | SLK 55 AMG (R 171) |
| 2006-2007 | CLK 63 AMG Black Series (C 209) |
| 2008-2009 | SL 63 AMG (R 230) |
| 2010-2012 | SLS AMG (C 197) |
| 2012 (German GP)-2014 | SLS AMG GT (C 197) |
| 2015-2018 | Mercedes-AMG GT S (C 190) |
| 2019-2021 | Mercedes-AMG GT R (C 190) |
| 2022 | Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (C 190) |
The FIA Formula One World Championship™ Official Medical Cars from Mercedes-AMG:
| Year | Model |
|---|---|
| 1996 | C 36 AMG (W 202) |
| 1997 | C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210) |
| 1998-2000 | C 55 AMG Estate (S 202) |
| 2001-2003 | C 32 AMG Estate (S 203) |
| 2004-2007 | C 55 AMG Estate (S 203) |
| 2008-2014 | C 63 AMG Estate (S 204) |
| 2015-2021 | Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Wagon (S 205) |
| 2022 | Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ (X 290) |
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