Mercedes unveils new F1 Safety Cars

(GMM) Mercedes' performance brand, AMG, on Friday revealed details and photos of the new Formula One Safety Car and Medical Cars for the 2008 season.

The 525 horsepower Safety Car, to be driven as usual by 36-year-old German pilot Bernd Maylander, is based on the newly launched SL 63 AMG roadster.

The Safety Car was last updated by Mercedes-Benz in 2006, in the form of the CLK 63 AMG.

The new model is 220 kilograms lighter than its factory counterpart, and also features better brakes, cooling, a rollover bar, some carbon fiber bodywork and numerous other racing modifications.

The Medical Car, meanwhile, which is driven at all races by France's Dr Jacques Tropenat, and occupied by official F1 doctor Dr Gary Hartstein, is based on the C 63 Estate model.