The new Safety Car which will be used in the 2018 Formula One season has been revealed.
With a top speed of almost 200mph and 585bhp, the Mercedes AMG GT R is the most powerful Safety Car yet. The car is a step up from the previous model, the GT S, which had been used since the beginning of the 2015 season. Formula One has used Mercedes cars as the Safety Car since the 1996 season.
The Safety Car will continue to be driven by Bernd Mayländer in 2018. Mayländer has been the driver of the Formula One Safety Car since 2000, and has led over 700 Grand Prix laps during that time. He’s certain that the car is more than capable of guiding the cars around:
“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.”
The car features the new F1 logo on the sides and bumper. The lights on top of the GT R have been fitted on top of a carbonfibre roof scoop and are designed for aerodynamic efficiency. The car is also fitted with two iPads so co-driver Richard Darker can stay up to date with the latest happenings on-track.
The 2018 Formula One season begins in Australia this weekend.