For the 2018 Formula 1 (F1) season, FIA will officially enlist the services of the Mercedes-AMG GT R as their Official FIA F1 Safety Car. The AMG GT R will replace the existing AMG GT S that has been serving reliably for the past three seasons.
With 576 hp and 700 Nm from its 4.0-litre biturbo V8, the AMG GT R will be the most powerful safety car of all time. The safety cars task is to safely lead the pack when bad weather or accidents occur, so why do they need such a brutal car? Because F1 cars aren’t meant to go slow.
The performance requirements of an F1 safety car is demanding because it must be able to maintain a minimum pace to prevent the F1 vehicles to prevent the tyre and brakes from excessive cooling as well as engine overheating from the lack of airflow. With a century sprint time of 3.6 seconds, top speed of 318 km/h and technologies from the AMG GT3 race car, the AMG GT R can surely set a decent pace.
As a result, the AMG GT R needs little modification to take on its new role; FIA livery, light bar on the roof, two iPads as radio controls and light switches positioned at the headliner. The roll-over protection bar and ceramic compound brakes are part of the AMG Track Package that regular customers can add as an option.
Bernd Mayländer, who will again be the driver of the safety car for the new season said: “I am very much looking forward to my new company car. It is an absolute highlight in terms of driving dynamics and is one level higher up still than the AMG GT S of recent years. Of course, ideally the safety car should be deployed as rarely as possible – but when we have to safely bunch up the Formula 1 field and lead it around the track, we will be superbly equipped with the AMG GT R”
Alongside the new safety car, Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate will once again take on the role as the Official FIA F1 Medical Car, piloted by racing driver Alan van der Merwe, with FIA F1 deputy medical delegate Dr Ian Roberts as his co-driver. The 490 litre luggage compartment safely accommodates the full complement of emergency equipment, including defibrillator and respirator.
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