Mercedes-AMG GT S and C 63 confirmed as F1 2015 safety cars

Mercedes has announced it will again provide safety cars for the 2015 Formula One season in the form of the new AMG GT super car and the C 63 AMG performance estate. The new cars will make their debuts at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15th.

The Mercedes AMG GT will take over official safety duties from the outgoing SLS AMG, leading the cars out onto the grid and setting the race pace after an accident or in bad weather. F1 officials chose the 503bhp 'S' model due to its enhanced performance and track ability which are necessary to prevent the F1 car tyres and brakes cooling down too much.

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The safety car remains mechanically unmodified for the roadgoing AMG GT S, with the only real change being a modified Performance exhaust system that is claimed to be louder than stock, simply in order to keep the fans and TV viewers happy.

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There is also the regulation orange light bar mounted on the roof. Far from just a plastic box full of bulbs drilled into the roof, the light bar has been specifically shaped for aerodynamic efficiency, and even sits above a sculpted scoop which channels air onto the rear spoiler.

It will be driven by former DTM racing driver Bernd Maylander, who has piloted the Formula One safety car at circuits all around the world since 2000. In his cockpit will be two iPads to monitor race telemetry and track positions, and a critical LED indicator that lets the drivers know when an accident has exceeded critical G-Force levels.

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Also announced was the replacement of the outgoing medical car with the 2015 C 63 AMG. Used in estate format to carry emergency supplies, the C 63 shares the same 4.0-litre Biturbo V8 as the AMG GT, and also gets the same louder exhaust system

Mercedes has supplied safety and medical cars for the Formula One championship since 1996, kicking off with the old C36 AMG. 

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