The Hardcore Mercedes-AMG GT Black Will Be Handling Safety Car Duties In F1 For 2022

• Features a LED lighting cluster on the upper area of the windshield, with the rearward-facing lights integrated into the rear spoiler.

• Gets the optional Track package, additional screens on the dashboard, and a marshalling system to display vital race information.

• Retains the 730PS 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, paired to a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

• Will debut at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 18-20.

With the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship season just around the corner, Mercedes-Benz, who’ve been supplying safety cars since 1996, have revealed the AMT GT Black Series safety car. This hardcore performance machine replaces the AMG GT R, and will share safety car duties with the Aston Martin Vantage for the season.

So what makes this Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series safety car different from the standard model? Well they’re all FIA-specific additions starting with a new LED lighting cluster on the upper area of the windshield, with the rearward-facing lights integrated into the rear spoiler. These safety light clusters have two colours. While in orange, the racers aren’t allowed to overtake the safety car but when the lights turn green, they can overtake the safety car. It’s shod in a bright shade of red which has been the case for Mercedes-Benz safety cars since the 2020 season.

Inside, it is specced with the optional Track Package that includes bucket seats and a roll cage made out of titanium to keep Bernd Mayländer and Richard Darker safe. Aside from the FIA-specific six-point safety harnesses stipulated by the FIA, there are two tablets on the dashboard to monitor race activities. The one on the left, displays the live TV feed, with the right one having the option to switch between an animated display of the cars position on track or the current lap times.

Other key bits include a standard issue FIA marshalling system which includes controls for the light signalling via a panel at the front of the headliner, a transponder system for time keeping, a high-resolution GPS and telemetry. There’s also a “medical warning light” in case there’s an accident that crosses a certain g-force threshold which serves as an additional warning for Bernd Mayländer and Richard Darker to prepare for action as soon as possible.

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Unlike the Aston Martin Vantage safety car, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series safety car remains as mechanically hardcore as the standard model. It is powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 putting out 730PS and 800Nm. Paired to a 7-speed AMG Speedshift DCT that sends power to the rear wheels, this beast can go from nought to 100 kmph in just 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 325 kmph. It can also handle the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife just fine with a lap time of 6 minutes and 43.616 seconds on the shorter 20.6km circuit. 

The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series safety car will make its debut at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix which is scheduled to run from March 18-20 2022. So which safety car do you prefer? British racing green from the Aston Martin Vantage, or the bright red Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series? Drop a comment down below.