Mercedes-AMG has revealed a new addition to Formula 1 paddock that is sure to lead the 20-car field season.
Mercedes-AMG has been the official supplier of official FIA safety vehicles in the Formula 1 championship since 1997, and in the company's 23rd year of service in the world's premiere four-wheeled motorsport category the performance brand will supply the fastest Safety Car ever used in Formula 1.
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R will lead the Formula 1 field when accidents or bad weather require the race to be neutralised. The top-of-the-line AMG GT series supercar, powered by bi-turbo V8, will debut as the FIA F1 Safety Car this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.
The GT R is a proven track car, setting the fastest rear-wheel drive lap of the Nurburging by a production car last year. And with an output of 430kW and a top speed of 318 km/h, the AMG GT R is the most powerful and fastest Official FIA F1 Safety Car of all time.
Only a small number of modifications were required to transform a standard Mercedes-AMG GT R into the Formula 1 Safety Car you'll see on track this season. The car is wrapped in in FIA and F1 livery, with a light bar on the roof. Only a 'AMG Track Package' including roll-over protection system and the ceramic brakes have been fitted.
Read our 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster review
While FIA F1 Safety Car driver Bernd Maylander pilots the GT R, co-driver Richard Darker will monitors the following Formula 1 cars with two dashboard-mounted iPads. One displays the international TV broadcast and the other can feature the current position of the vehicles or lap times.
Though the GT R is a proven track weapon, Mercedes-AMG say the requirement profile from the FIA for the Official FIA F1 Safety Cars 'is demanding.'
It must be able to maintain a minimum speed level to prevent the tyres and brakes of the Formula 1 cars from cooling and the engines from overheating. But with a top speed of 318 km/h and a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, Mercedes-AMG say there's 'no risk for this to happen.'
As well as the AMG GT R, Mercedes-AMG will supply a C 63 S Estate for FIA medical personal to provide emergency care for drivers.
The estate is fitted with four sports bucket seats and six-point seat belts, radio equipment and the same two iPad setup found in the GT R. The rear luggage compartment will accommodate all emergency equipment, including defibrillator and respirator.
In the event of an incident the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 with 375kW will be used to the fullest, transporting medics to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible to administer first aid.
The 2018 Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend in Australia.
