Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series: It becomes a Formula 1 Safety Car

The start of the upcoming Formula 1 season is scheduled for next weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix. A flamboyant and eventful occasion, with new rules, drivers and a league table which could be shaken up.

The first race of the year will mark the new Safety Car’s: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series debut. This model shares similar qualities with the Aston Martin Vantage and DBX, the two safety cars which were introduced last season. The medical car will also be another Mercedes-AMG, more specifically a GT 63 S.

According to Mercedes, both cars are almost completely standard. The only differences are their additional features, such as the LED light strip in the upper part of the windscreen and rear-facing lights in the rear spoiler.

The lights have a double function: if they are amber, it means that overtaking is forbidden, if they are green, it means that drivers can overtake. Mercedes explains that the LED units are also adjustable, and the intensity of the light can be changed to suit the weather conditions.

The new F1 safety car is essentially a standard Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series equipped with the optional Track Pack. It includes, amongst other gadgets, a titanium roll cage to improve its structure and safety.

Furthermore, the two tablets on the dashboard allow the team to monitor the track and the race. The left-hand screen displays the international TV signal, while the right-hand screen can be switched between the animated display showing the other cars’ current positions on the track or the current lap times.

As you may know, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is powered by a 730-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine. This engine is combined with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Furthermore, it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, while its top speed is said to be 325 km/h.