Mercedes has announced (February 26) that this year’s F1 safety car will be based on its gull-wing SLS 63 AMG. The supercharged V8 supercar, with its doors hinged on the roof, will be the fastest F1 safety car ever and draws its design cues from the classic 1950s Mercedes 300SL. The road-going SLS 63 AMG has recently gone on sale with a list price of £157,500 and 571bhp. It has been promoted recently by Michael Schumacher, in a dramatic TV advert that sees the German drive upside-down in a tunnel. Bernd Maylander will again be the full-time safety car driver and will get his hands on the car it at the opening round in Bahrain in two-week time. The SLS AMG has a 6.3-litre V8 engine with 571bhp. Its 0-100kph (62mph) time may not rival F1 cars but at 3.8 seconds it’s not to be sniffed at. The SLS AMG replaces the SL 63 AMG, introduced two years ago. The existing Medical Car, a C63 AMG estate, will remain in use.
