There was only one driver able to stay in front of Jenson Button at the Melbourne GP yesterday and fortunately F1 safety car pilot Bernd Mayländer wasn’t racing.
This year the official safety car duties have once again been handed to the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG, and before yesterday’s race Merc revealed details of the high-profile sportscar’s unique spec.
SL63 safety car has carbon body panels
Key differences to road-going models include a range of weight-saving measures that have pared 220kgs from the standard car. In spite of additional coolers for the engine and transmission oil, engine coolant and power steering systems, as well as the lighting and communications equipment the car must carry, it tips the scales at 1750kgs. That’s because the bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and boot lid are crafted from carbon fibre, while the vario folding roof mechanism has been dispensed with altogether.
Visual differences to the road model include a front apron with larger cooling ducts, and a modified rear diffuser insert designed to aid cooling for the ‘active’ rear axle.
Suspension set-up is adjustable
The forged light-alloy 19ins wheels (8.5ins front and 9.5ins rear) are designed to optimise cooling for the braking system which uses internally ventilated composite discs all round. The front benefits from six-piston callipers and 390x36mm discs while the rear has four-piston callipers and 360x26mm discs.
The SL’s coil-over suspension is adjustable to suit conditions at different race tracks.
Inside, the safety car features two AMG sports bucket seats, various bits of carbon fibre trim and a 365mm AMG steering wheel with flat underside and aluminium shift paddles.
A fruitier exhaust system is fitted which Merc says helps the 525hp engine breathe a little more freely, but which we can’t help thinking is really for the benefit of trackside spectators.
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