The safety car plays a crucial part in Formula 1 racing, usually being deployed in case of an accident or if there are other track related incidents. The safety car is instantly recognizable due to its light bar and because the model has usually been a standout supercar.
When it comes to the safety car, the image you most likely have in your head is that of a Mercedes AMG. Now, Mercedes AMG cars have been used as the official Formula 1 Safety Car for over 20 years and have a long history when it comes to models. Besides just the safety car, Mercedes AMG used Estate models for the medical car for a long time. One of the more infamous incidents in F1 involved one of these cars when driver Nick Heidfeld hit the side of the medical car’s door with his Sauber during the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix, damaging it as well as breaking the car’s door.
One of the earlier models Mercedes AMG used for the safety car was the 2001 Mercedes SL55 AMG which according to long time F1 Safety car driver Bernd Maylander, was one of his favorite cars to drive. The SL55 AMG would be succeeded by models like the SLK 55 and CLK 63 AMG.
Perhaps the most iconic safety car in F1’s history would end up making its debut in the 2010 Formula 1 season. Yes, I’m talking of course about none other than the Mercedes SLS AMG. The SLS AMG was at the time the most powerful Merc ever made so needless to say it made a great impression as a safety car. I still remember watching and admiring the SLS AMG safety car as a child during races.
The SLS AMG would continue as the safety car until its production ended in 2014. After the SLS AMG was discontinued, the AMG GT arrived as its successor and sure enough it ended up becoming the next safety car. Multiple variants of the AMG GT did in fact with the first of these being the AMG GTS that made its debut for the 2015 season, the AMG GTS would hold position as the safety car for two more seasons before being replaced by the more powerful AMG GTR for the 2018 season.
The AMG GTR would then be replaced by the car that still remains as Merc AMG’s safety car today, the AMG GT Black Series. The distinct difference between the AMG GT Black Series and the earlier AMG GTR are the two large carbon fiber vents on the hood.
However, Mercedes AMG is no longer the only manufacturer doing the official Formula 1 safety car duties now, as Aston Martin made an entry in the 2021 season with a new agreement being made with AMG and Aston Martin sharing the duties for the safety car and medical car. Aston Martin have used the Vantage and now it’s 2024 facelift for the safety car, and the DBX 707 SUV for the medical car.
Mercedes AMG have had such a long association providing safety cars for Formula 1 that a lot of fans such as myself have become very attached to them, having seen these AMGs for so many years now. It’s good to see the FIA themselves recognize that and ensure that an agreement could be made for Mercedes AMG to continue providing safety cars even if they now share the duties with Aston Martin.
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