Mercedes-AMG Unveils New Safety Car for 2026 Hungarian F1 GP

Mercedes-AMG will introduce a new-generation safety car at the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ featuring major changes to its drivetrain, cabin and operational systems.

Ahead of its track debut at the Hungaroring, experienced safety car driver Bernd Maylander gave Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft a detailed tour of the upgraded vehicle. One of the first features to attract attention was its flush door-handle system, which operates differently from the previous Mercedes model.

The cabin has been equipped with all the systems required to control an on-track intervention. These include the light controls, a main radio, a backup radio, the start button and two new screens carrying the live television feed.

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Maylander highlighted the GPS map as one of the most important tools inside the car. It works alongside lap-time information to help the driver understand the location of the field and the developing situation around the circuit during a safety-car period.

“We have a GPS map on the right side, we have lap times, so all the information is very helpful, but a GPS map is the most important thing we need,” Maylander said.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 612 horsepower. That output is lower than the 639 horsepower delivered by the previous model, but the new car introduces a significant change through its all-wheel-drive system.

It is the first Formula 1 safety car to use all-wheel drive. Maylander believes the layout provides improved traction, particularly when accelerating out of corners while maintaining sufficient speed to help the Formula 1 cars behind preserve tyre temperature.

“It is the first safety car with all-wheel drive. This provides optimum traction, which is particularly noticeable when combined with all the other technical features,” Maylander said.

He also praised the car’s agile and direct response to driver inputs. That characteristic is important because the safety car must combine secure operation with enough performance to maintain an appropriate pace in varying track conditions.

The 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix will give Maylander his first opportunity to drive the new safety car in live operational conditions. Its Hungaroring debut will also provide an early test of the all-wheel-drive system on a tight and technical circuit where traction through linked corners is particularly important.