Mercedes AMG, safety cars unveiled for new F1 season
Since Aston Martin’s return to F1, Mercedes-AMG is no longer the only manufacturer to supply the lead car and the medical car. In order to ensure its hegemony on the track, even when it comes to safety cars, Mercedes-AMG replaces its fleet with two mechanical monsters which respectively become the most powerful vehicles in F1 history to take on their task.
Thus the AMG GT-R gives way to the ultimate incarnation of the GT with the extremely rare GT Black Series. The latter comes de facto with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 whose cavalry reaches 720 horsepower, and torque, 590 lb-ft. Everything is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. To illustrate the position of the Black Series in terms of automotive performance, it is this car that currently holds the famous Nürburgring record with a time of 6 minutes and 43.616 seconds.
For her new functions, she underwent a host of transformations. First, technically, it includes the “Track” package which adds a titanium tube roll cage as well as ultralight seats with 6-point belts. AMG engineers have also revised the suspensions so that they are better adapted to all the circuits it will have to face.
On the track, this AMG must be very visible. Unlike nearly every other safety car in Mercedes-Benz history since 1996, this livery is not “Silver Arrow” gray but red with white and black accents. The suite of LED light strips arrives with a more integrated approach behind the windshield, within the rear spoiler and, even, as a replacement for the license plate. Still on the fin, this is where we find two cameras: the first is used by the driver, while the second allows live images to be transmitted for television broadcasting.
In the case of the medical car, the AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ replaces the AMG C 63 S wagon. Just like the lead car, this big sedan takes the title of the fastest to take on its duties. Unsurprisingly, we find the same V8 as in the Black Series, but this time, the power is limited to “only” 630 horsepower. However, the latter benefits from a more modern 9-speed gearbox as well as the most dynamic all-wheel drive for track use.
F1’s 2022-23 season kicks off next weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix from March 18-20. It should also be noted that the cars in competition are completely revised and are subject to new rules which could well put the recent hegemony of Mercedes-AMG to the test. In addition, due to the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi is canceled in perpetuity by the F1 organization.
