Formula 1 Events

Two specially prepared AMG high-performance cars will be on duty for the first time when the Grand Prix season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia (March 14 to 16, 2008).

The Safety Car, based on the SL 63 AMG, and the Medical Car, derived from the C 63 AMG Estate, have the task of ensuring maximum safety at all 18 Formula 1 races.

The Safety Car is immediately on hand whenever the safety of a race is threatened by accidents, adverse weather conditions or other hazardous situations. After receiving his instructions from the race management, Bernd Mayländer, the driver of the Safety Car, must go to the head of the Formula 1 field and safely guide the world’s fastest racing drivers around the circuit. Fast lap times are a must for the Safety Car, because otherwise the sensitive Formula 1 engines would overheat - and their tyres and brakes would cool down excessively.

In the 2008 Formula 1 season, Mayländer, 36, will be behind the wheel of a new SL 63 AMG. This high-performance roadster, which was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show, has a 6.3-litre V8 engine with a power output of 525 bhp, providing acceleration from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.

The C 63 AMG Estate is powered by a 457 bhp version of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine which delivers 600 Nm of torque.
AMG has provided the Official F1 Safety Car for the past 12 years while the Official F1 Medical Car has carried the AMG insignia since 1996.