New Formula 1 safety car receives innovative feature after decades of development

The new Formula 1 safety car, based on the AMG GT 63 Pro model, debuted at the Hungarian Grand Prix with a special livery. This vehicle boasts 612 horsepower and an all-wheel-drive system.

Changes to the lighting system

Spectators at the Hungarian Grand Prix last Sunday (the 26th) could notice changes in the Formula 1 safety car. The 'giroflex' light bar on the roof, which was long a hallmark of these vehicles, has disappeared. Instead, Mercedes-AMG integrated LEDs directly into the rear aerodynamic diffuser, next to the cameras used by the FIA.

Signals for the drivers are now transmitted via these LEDs: orange indicates a ban on overtaking, while green permits passage past the safety car. Additional lighting has also been placed on the front bumper and in the headlights themselves.

Technical advantages of the new design

Although this may seem like a minor detail, the change is practically significant. Previously, the light bar was attached as a separate element to the roof of the standard car, creating a functional but additional weight and drag burden precisely at the highest point of the bodywork. Furthermore, the safety car must clear the track quickly so as not to delay the peloton.

Thanks to the built-in LEDs, the safety car looks less like a modified vehicle and more like a project designed from the outset. Its debut in Hungary coincided with the 30th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG as the official supplier of Formula 1 safety cars.

AMG GT 63 Pro specifications

The basis of the new safety car is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+, which was equipped with a commemorative black and red livery. According to the brand, this is the first official Formula 1 safety car with all-wheel drive; previous models directed all power exclusively to the rear axle.

The engine mechanics are known: it is a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo with 612 hp and 86.7 kgm of torque, providing a top speed of up to 317 km/h. These figures are justified by the fact that the car must follow the Formula 1 cars at a reduced pace without becoming an obstacle.

There is also a symbolic detail: the fuel used in the safety car contains 40% environmentally friendly components. This is a step forward, although far from the cars it accompanies on the track. Starting this year, according to regulations, Formula 1 cars use 100% environmentally friendly fuel.

The Hungarian Grand Prix concluded the first half of the 2026 season, won by Lando Norris. During the European summer break, the restyled safety car will reappear only at the end of August, and, as always, fans awaiting its appearance do so for the wrong reason.