(continued from above)
The SLS AMG Official F1 Safety Car is sent onto the track by Race Control
whenever an accident or poor weather conditions endanger the safe progress of
the race. The gull-wing is driven by German racing driver Bernd Mayländer (39),
who has performed this function for the FIA (Fédération Internationale de
l'Automobile) since 2000. Mayländer is not only on station for Formula 1
weekends, but also for most of the accompanying series such as the GP2 Series or
Porsche Supercup.
During a race the SLS AMG Official F1 Safety Car is on
standby in the pit lane. Its deployment is decided by Race Control. On receiving
a radio message, Bernd Mayländer and his co-driver, FIA man Pete Tibbetts (45,
from Great Britain), take to the track at the head of the field in order to
guide the Formula 1 racing cars safely around the circuit.
Unique
Vehicle Concept for Maximum Driving Dynamics
The Mercedes-Benz SLS
AMG has the best possible credentials for this demanding role in the top flight
of motor racing: the engine, power transmission, suspension and braking system
of the Official F1 Safety Car are the same as in the standard production SLS
AMG. The exceptional technology package for the super sports car ensures perfect
driving dynamics and means that no further technical modifications or
lightweight design measures are necessary, with the sole exception of the
all-new rear silencer, which allows the high-revving AMG V8 naturally aspirated
engine to breathe more easily and offers Formula 1 fans an even more emotionally
charged sound experience.
The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine has a peak output
of 571 hp at 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft (650 Nm) at 4,750 rpm,
enabling the gull-wing model to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Fast lap
times are a matter of course for the Official F1 Safety Car, otherwise the
Formula 1 cars' tires and brakes would cool down too quickly, while their
engines could overheat.
The unique vehicle concept is a key factor in
ensuring outstanding driving dynamics: the aluminum spaceframe body keeps the
vehicle weight down to 3,572 lbs (1,620 kilograms). And thanks to the dry-sump
lubrication system, the AMG V8 powerplant can be installed very low down,
resulting in a beneficial lowering of the vehicle's center of gravity. The
installed position well behind the front axle, and the transaxle arrangement of
the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission on the rear axle, have a positive
effect on the weight distribution, which is 47/53 percent (front/rear). Pure
motorsport technology is used for the AMG sports suspension: aluminum
double-wishbone axles at front and rear ensure outstanding driving dynamics with
precise turn-in ability, first-class agility, low mass inertia during fast
changes in direction, and therefore high cornering limits.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG F1 Safety Car: Review (2/2)
