The Formula 1 grid will have a new lead car from last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that the GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ will take over Official FIA F1 Safety Car duties, replacing the AMG GT Black Series that has been in service since 2022. The new arrival also marks a milestone for the German manufacturer, becoming the 14th Mercedes-Benz Safety Car since the partnership with Formula 1 began in 1996 and coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the brand’s presence in the role.
Unlike many purpose-built safety cars of the past, the GT 63 PRO starts life as a production road car. Mercedes-AMG says its combination of outright performance, precision and everyday usability made it an ideal foundation for circuit duty, requiring only motorsport-specific modifications to meet the FIA’s demanding standards.
Power comes from a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 612 bhp and 850 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission, making this the first Official FIA F1 Safety Car to feature Mercedes-AMG’s fully variable Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. The new drivetrain promises improved traction in both dry and wet conditions, an important advantage considering the Safety Car is often deployed when grip is at its lowest. Top speed is rated at 317 kph.
The mechanical package remains largely unchanged from the road-going GT 63 PRO, including AMG’s high-performance ceramic braking system. However, the chassis has been further optimised for Formula 1 duty. Active Ride Control suspension with active roll stabilisation allows the setup to be fine-tuned depending on circuit conditions, while revised aerodynamic components increase stability during high-speed running.
The aerodynamic revisions are more than cosmetic. A redesigned front splitter, additional dive planes and a modified rear wing with an active flap help generate extra downforce without compromising stability. Perhaps the most distinctive addition is the integration of the FIA light bar directly into the rear wing. The setup not only improves visibility for drivers following behind but also maintains aerodynamic efficiency. Additional LED lighting at the front and rear communicates race control instructions, with orange lights signalling no overtaking and green lights indicating when competitors may pass the Safety Car.
Inside, the GT 63 PRO has been equipped with FIA-specific communication systems that include dedicated radio, GPS and camera equipment linked to a central control panel. Larger FIA tablets allow quicker operation, while safety equipment includes a roll cage, six-point racing harnesses and RECARO competition bucket seats. The car also runs on specially developed Pirelli P Zero R tyres, engineered jointly by Mercedes-AMG and Pirelli to deliver maximum precision on the circuit.
Two examples of the new Safety Car was present at the Hungaroring last weekend, both finished in a special anniversary livery celebrating three decades of Mercedes-Benz Safety Cars in Formula 1. The predominantly black paintwork is contrasted by red graphics and commemorative ’30 Years’ branding across the bonnet, roof and rear wing.
The outgoing AMG GT Black Series leaves behind an impressive record, having led the field on 51 occasions since its debut in 2022, most recently during the opening laps of this year’s Belgian Grand Prix. Its successor arrives with a familiar face behind the wheel. Long-time Official FIA F1 Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer says the addition of all-wheel drive delivers greater traction and allows the GT 63 PRO to shine particularly through corners and under acceleration, making it an even more capable tool for managing Formula 1’s fastest moments.
For Mercedes-AMG, the latest Safety Car is more than just another race support vehicle. It is the latest chapter in a relationship with Formula 1 that has now spanned three decades, and one that continues to place a road-going performance car at the very heart of the world’s biggest motorsport championship.
