Even though the new Mercedes SL63 AMG is ready for duty, the company decided to keep the SLS in business and officially introduced it as the Formula 1 Safety Car for 2012 season. The SLS Gullwing is assisted by a new Mercedes C63 AMG Estate which will be at the disposal of quick response medical personnel.

This season marks the twelfth year of F1 service for the 40 year-old racer Bernd Mayländer, who’s been driving different Mercedes safety cars since 2000. Bernd also works as an instructor for the AMG Driving Academy and attends selected events as a Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador.

The SLS safety car is based on the road-going version, with the same engine, power train, suspension and braking system. It is, however, fitted with even louder exhausts for an even more emotionally-charged sound experience, so you can hear it over the F1 engines even watching on TV.

Just like the SLS AMG, the C 63 AMG Estate is ideally equipped to provide outstanding driving dynamics. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine includes the AMG Performance package and produces 358 kW (487 hp). The power of the Official F1 Medical Car is transferred via the standard AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, with wet start-up clutch, four driving modes, a double-declutch and a RACE START function. It does zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

AMG has provided the Safety Cars and Medical Cars for 16 years

AMG has extensive experience in the design, development and deployment of the Official F1™ Safety Car and Official F1™ Medical Car. The Affalterbach-based company has been active in the top echelons of international motorsport since 1996.

All AMG Safety Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)

from 1997: CLK 55 AMG (C 208)

2000: CL 55 AMG (C 215)

from 2001: SL 55 AMG (R 230)

2003: CLK 55 AMG (C 209)

from 2004: SLK 55 AMG (R 171)

from 2006: CLK 63 AMG (C 209)

from 2008: SL 63 AMG (R 230)

since 2010: SLS AMG (C 197)

All AMG Medical Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)

1997: C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210)

from 1998: C 55 AMG Estate (S 202)

from 2001: C 32 AMG Estate (S 203)

from 2004: C 55 AMG Estate (S 203)

since 2008: C 63 AMG Estate (S 204)

As early as 1984, an AMG E-Class Coupé with a V8 engine was occasionally used as the Medical Car. The activities of Mercedes-AMG are also evidence of Mercedes-Benz’s longstanding commitment to Formula 1.