Mercedes-AMG continues its long-standing commitment to Formula 1, providing the official Safety Car and Medical Car for the FIA Formula One World Championship™ 2022 season. For this season, they are deploying their most potent vehicles yet: the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series as the Official F1® Safety Car and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ as the Official F1® Medical Car. These high-performance machines, already proven on the racetrack, underscore Mercedes-AMG’s dedication to safety and performance in motorsport’s premier series.
Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, emphasizes the brand’s deep connection to Formula 1: “Recent years have been incredibly successful for Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1, with eight constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles. This success on the track fuels technology transfer and enhances the image of our production vehicles. Motorsport is integral to Mercedes-AMG, and so is safety. Extending our role as safety and medical car provider for over 25 years, with these exceptional vehicles, was a natural decision.”
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Motorsport of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, highlights the continuous improvement in safety vehicle performance: “Since 1996, Mercedes-AMG has been essential to Formula 1’s emergency response. Our Safety Cars expertly manage the Formula 1 field in critical situations, and our Medical Cars provide rapid on-site medical assistance. For 2022, we’ve raised the bar with the AMG GT Black Series and AMG GT 63 S, our most powerful models to date. Their racetrack performance reflects pure motorsport DNA. Naturally, we hope these vehicles are needed as little as possible.”
Bernd Mayländer, the experienced FIA Formula One World Championship™ Official Safety Car driver since 2000, expresses his enthusiasm for the new safety car: “I’m thrilled to be driving the Formula 1 safety car again in 2022, especially the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. Having tested it extensively, I’m amazed by its race car proximity. It’s a significant leap from last year’s GT R, which was already exceptional. Driving this for safety is a dream job.”
Seamlessly Integrated Safety Car Signaling
Both the Safety Car and Medical Car maintain largely standard production specifications, enhanced with track-specific equipment. A standout innovation in the Official F1® Safety Car is the integrated signaling system. Unlike previous models with roof-mounted light bars that could disrupt aerodynamics, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series features embedded LED signaling. Front lights are integrated into the windshield’s upper edge, and rear lights are stylishly incorporated into the rear spoiler, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining crucial signaling visibility.
Advanced LED Light System
The front signaling system features three orange light modules and a larger green module on each side of the AMG logo, aligned with the sun visors. The rear spoiler’s main blade includes thirteen orange LEDs – three steady lights on each edge and seven central flashing lights. Four wider green LED modules are also integrated in the rear. Two video cameras in the spoiler strut provide internal views; one acts as an electronic rearview mirror for the co-driver, displayed on a monitor near the rearview mirror, and the other provides a live TV feed. Side window light modules displaying “SC” in orange enhance trackside visibility.
Safety Light Functionality
- Orange Lights: Activated when the safety car is deployed. Flashing orange rear lights and steady front lights indicate “no overtaking.”
- Green Lights: Used when the safety car joins mid-field. Green lights signal drivers they can overtake the safety car.
- Dimmable LEDs: All light modules are dimmable, adjusting intensity for day or night racing conditions.
The license plate also synchronizes with the safety lights, illuminating orange or green. Rapidly flashing headlights and taillights further enhance visibility when the safety car is on track.
Standard Interior with Track-Ready Enhancements
The Official F1® Safety Car’s interior mirrors the standard AMG GT Black Series, including the optional Track Package with rollover protection. A titanium roll cage, bolted-in for enhanced stiffness and safety, is a key feature of this package.
Cockpit Technology and Communication
FIA-mandated six-point safety harnesses and two tablets in the center console and passenger dash are the main additions. Co-driver Richard Darker uses these to monitor the race: the left tablet displays the international TV feed, and the right switches between track positioning and lap times. An InCar Hotspot with WLAN manages data for visual communication. Bernd Mayländer focuses on driving while Richard Darker handles race control radio communication via two red buttons and volume knobs in the center console. An intercom facilitates communication between them, with a backup radio system for emergencies.
Lightweight bucket seats, part of the Track Package, are standard, with a small cup holder added to the Safety Car. A headliner-mounted panel with color-coded buttons controls the light signaling, designed for use with racing gloves.
FIA-Specific Racing Systems
Further FIA-specific systems, identical to those in Formula 1® race cars, are integrated. These include a transponder for timing, high-resolution GPS, telemetry, and a marshalling system displaying track flag signals via LEDs on the instrument binnacle and co-driver display. A “medical warning light” flashes upon critical g-force detection, alerting the crew to potential incidents.
Engineered for Demanding Racetrack Performance
The Safety Car must perform under extreme conditions: high cornering speeds, rapid acceleration, and fast lap times. It must safely guide the world’s fastest race cars without impeding them or causing issues like tire and brake cooling or engine overheating in the Formula 1 cars.
The AMG GT Black Series is perfectly equipped for this demanding role. Its front-mid engine with transaxle, V8 biturbo engine with dry-sump lubrication, dual-clutch transmission, and finely tuned chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension ensure exceptional racetrack capabilities. Lightweight construction provides a low center of gravity and optimal weight distribution.
Motorsport Pedigree
Developed for the racetrack, the AMG GT Black Series boasts 537 kW (730 hp), a stiff body, adjustable suspension, intelligent lightweight engineering, and active aerodynamics. It’s the closest road-legal AMG to motorsport, featuring an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission, a titanium silencer exhaust, and adjustable suspension with adaptive dampers and manually adjustable ride height, camber, and anti-roll bars.
Suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics are specifically tuned for rigorous racetrack demands. Affalterbach suspension specialists developed a setup with Pirelli P Zero tires optimized for all track and weather conditions. Standard AMG ceramic high-performance composite brakes and finely tuned aerodynamics, including a large front skirt, flaps, splitter, rear skirt, and electronically controlled rear wing, provide optimal downforce and balance.
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, easily meeting the performance demands of its Formula 1 safety role.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ Medical Car: Rapid Response
Debuting as the Official F1® Medical Car, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ succeeds the C 63 S AMG Wagon. This medical car is crucial for rapid emergency response, carrying up to three medics, including FIA Medical Rescue Coordinator Dr. Ian Roberts, and local medics. It follows the Formula 1® field on the first lap and stands by in the pit lane during races, ensuring immediate medical assistance.
High-Performance Medical Support
The Medical Car prioritizes speed and performance, equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine producing 470 kW (639 hp), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and reaching 315 km/h. It shares its V8 engine, AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, dynamic engine mounts, and electronic rear locking differential with the standard road car. AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive provides superior traction in all conditions.
Standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension is tuned for racetrack duty with a full medical team and equipment. AMG high-performance ceramic brakes ensure effective deceleration.
Aerodynamic and Functional Design
The Medical Car differs visually with FIA and F1® logos, a roof-mounted light bar on a carbon-fiber scoop for minimal drag and optimized airflow to the fixed rear wing. The rear wing blade is set for maximum downforce. Optional Aerodynamic Package mirrors the road car version. Signal-function headlights and taillights and an illuminated “medical car” license plate are also distinctive. The spacious trunk holds comprehensive emergency equipment, including a defibrillator, breathing apparatus, rescue cutter, and fire extinguishers. Flashing lights activate when the trunk is open for trackside alerts.
Interior and Medical Technology
Inside, four racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses in front and four-point in the rear ensure occupant safety. Seat consoles are welded to the car floor. FIA switch unit and a radio for race management communication are included. Three tablets and an electronic rearview mirror monitor are integrated for race monitoring. Like the Safety Car, it has InCar Hotspot and WLAN. Gloves with sensors worn by F1 drivers transmit vital signs to paramedics in the Medical Car, displayed in real-time, enhancing immediate medical response capabilities.
Striking Livery and Partnership
Both the Mercedes-AMG Official F1® Safety Car and Medical Car feature distinctive red paintwork with black aerodynamic elements and white decals for the 2022 season. This red livery aligns with Mercedes-AMG and CrowdStrike, the continued sponsor of the Safety Car, prominently featured with white lettering and logos. CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity leader and partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team since 2019, emphasizes their breach-stopping mission with the red color scheme.
The Medical Car displays FIA Formula One World Championship™ and AMG emblems. Black aerodynamic elements and lower body sections, along with black AMG alloy wheels with red rims, complete the visual identity.
Throughout the race weekend, these vehicles, supported by three AMG technicians, ensure maximum safety across all Formula 1 events. Mercedes-AMG shares Safety Car and Medical Car duties with Aston Martin, highlighting their broader technical cooperation.
Mercedes-AMG: A Legacy of Formula 1 Safety
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) |
| 2012-2014 | 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) |
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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