Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series to lead F1 grid in 2022

The FIA Formula One World Championship is set to start in Bahrain this March, and new regulations mean we get to see brand-new F1 cars. But apparently, long-time Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer also gets a new ride of his own for the season.

Mercedes-AMG has provided F1 with safety vehicles since 1996. And now, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will serve as the official Formula One Safety Car for 2022, replacing the outgoing AMG GT R. On the other hand, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ will take over in doing Medical Car duties from the C63 S AMG.

The Black Series is the ultimate track-focused version of Mercedes-AMG's GT lineup, and is currently the second-fastest production road car to lap the Nürburgring. Boasting 730 hp from its 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine, the new safety car is capable of reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of over 320 km/h.

Meanwhile, the new 639 hp four-wheel-drive Medical Car can also do 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and has a top speed of over 310 km/h. The GT 63 S 4MATIC+ can sit three medics while carrying the mandated medical kits and safety equipment from the FIA.

Just like last year, the new Mercedes-AMG safety vehicles will share duties with the Aston Martin Vantage and DBX for 2022. For the opening round in Bahrain, the Mercedes-AMGs will be used. But for the second round in Australia, the Aston Martins will be on-duty.

Now that F1 has a track-focused beast for a Safety Car, let's just hope it's fast enough for Lewis Hamilton.