Mercedes celebrates its thirtieth anniversary as an official supplier of the F1 safety car during the upcoming race weekend in Hungary. Since 1996, the German car manufacturer has provided the FIA and the premier class with fast cars to neutralize Grands Prix. To mark this milestone, Mercedes is also introducing a brand new safety car. At the Hungaroring, regular driver Bernd Mayländer will swap the AMG GT Black Series for an AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+.
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Mercedes’ first official safety car was deployed during the 1996 French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours. It was a Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG. Since then, various models from the Silver Arrows range have served. This honour was not exclusively reserved for Mercedes, however: between 2021 and 2025, several Aston Martin models also saw action.
New Toy
Since 2022, the FIA has used the AMG GT Black Series, one of the fastest models from the Stuttgart factories. However, images from the Hungaroring revealed that regular safety car driver Bernd Mayländer will have a new toy during the Hungarian GP. Equipped with a new black and red livery, he will drive the newer Mercedes AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ in Budapest.
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This model has less power than its predecessor but features advanced all-wheel drive. As a result, the standard weight is significantly higher. Safety cars are usually extensively stripped to make them as light as possible, so the actual weight may be considerably lower than the factory specification. “The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ combines the highest safety standards with impressive sportiness and driving pleasure,” Mayländer commented.
“The agility and direct response to steering movements are perfect. It is the first safety car with all-wheel drive, which ensures optimal grip. This is particularly effective in corners and during acceleration. It is an exceptional car for public roads. I am already looking forward to testing the new safety car in practice for the first time in Hungary.”
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| Features | AMG GT Black Series | AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ |
| Engine | Twin-Turbo V8 | Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Power | 720 hp | 612 hp |
| Torque | 800 Nm | 850 Nm |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | 4MATIC All-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.2 seconds | 3.2 seconds |
| Weight | 1,640 kg | 1,950 kg |
Read all about the Hungarian GP here
