Mercedes have unveiled the new Safety Car and Medical Car that will be used in Formula 1 this upcoming season.
The first Mercedes Safety Car was introduced to F1 in 1996, with the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG being utilised during race cautions.
Since then, models such as the SLS Gullwing and the AMG GT R have been used by the pinnacle of motorsport, and the latter has now been replaced by the AMG GT Black Series following three seasons in action.
The German car manufacturer will continue to share their safety duties with Aston Martin in 2022 after the British giants re-entered a team for the first time in 60 years last season.
Philip Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, is delighted with the new introduction into the sport, and has praised his company’s unprecedented success having sealed a record eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship last season.
“Recent years have seen Mercedes-AMG celebrate a huge number of amazing successes in the FIA Formula One World Championship. Eight constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles in the last eight years speak emphatically for themselves,” he said.
“Added to that is the extensive and widespread transfer of technology and image from this greatest of all motorsport stages and our series-production vehicles.
“Motorsport means so much to us, as does the best possible level of safety. There was absolutely no question that, after more than 25 years, we would extend our commitment as the provider of the safety car and medical car – with two absolutely outstanding vehicles from our line-up.”
Bernd Maylander, a former racing driver who has been charged with driving the Safety Car since 2000, has been out testing the new model and he has declared himself a fan.
“I’ve already had the chance to test this amazing vehicle many times and I’m simply blown away by how close it is to a thoroughbred race car. I’m so happy that I will once again be at the wheel of the Formula 1 safety car for the 2022 season,” he added.
“It really is a major step compared to last year’s GT R – which was already at an extremely high level. To have a workplace like this in the name of safety is a dream come true.”