New Safety Car in Formula 1

[Guisson]

As we saw the SC seems to be really "slow" comparing to F1s
So shouldn't the FIA bring a car that can at least be near in performance to the F1?
Because as we saw under a SC the tyres really go Cold pretty fast ..especially if it rains
I don't mean by bringing a Veyron or an Ultimate Aero._...

[Cuky]

I think this SC is fine. It is used to slow the pack down so that marshals can safely clear debris. if you have faster car then it would be cheaper to just run without it.

[Giblet]

And you don't want the driver of the safety car putting in hot laps in the wet. He is already driving at about 8/10ths in the corners.

[Guisson]

I didn't mean that , i just said the SC is Tyres enemy as it only make them colder.A faster one will it keep them in temperature?

[Giblet]

I agree it will help keep them in temperature, but I think getting your tires up to proper temp is part of racing, and more so in F1.

It would place less demand for skill on the driver.

[Gridlock]

I think you underestimate the SLS too, it's pretty far from the road car it's based on. Not much would be faster, unless you start running significant downforce. Which creates spray. Which is bad.

[manchild]

Back in the 80s they knew how to make stunning F1 cars and how to pick a safety car.

Monaco GP 1983




No one says that safety car should be able to do faster lap times, but it should be able to accelerate faster and keep higher speed on straights where there is no danger, in order to prevent overheating of F1 engines, gearboxes and KERS.

[Lycoming]

really? I thought they just added a light bar and some communications stuff. I can't see them changing much beyond that, besides perhaps better tyres. And of course it presumably has all the performance options available on the road car, ie. Carbon brakes...

[Giblet]

Lambo Countach 5000qv
0-60 5.6
quarter mile 13

Mercedes SLS 2012
0-60 3.4
quarter mile 11.4

Mercedes C63 AMG Estate F1
0-60 4.6
quarter mile 15.3

I don't see the issue. The SLS would smoke this car in every way.

The AMG Medical car can hold its own. There is no issue with these cars.

[Giblet]

I think you underestimate the SLS too, it's pretty far from the road car it's based on. Not much would be faster, unless you start running significant downforce. Which creates spray. Which is bad.

Its actually virtually the same car. Only the exhaust is changed and it is mostly for noise factor.

The Mercedes SLS AMG was first used as a Safety Car back in 2010 shortly after its official debut. Now, for the 2012 racing season, the SLS is returning as the Official F1 Safety Car. The Safety Car is based on the standard SLS AMG, with absolutely no changes made to the standard 571 HP 6.3-liter V8 engine, or its suspension and braking system.

What Mercedes did do was add a newly developed exhaust – designed to provide an even more emotionally-charged sound experience - as a tribute to the Formula 1 fans. Next to this, the Safety Car also received a roof light bar that boasts an aerodynamically efficient profile. The bar’s light functions are handled by LEDs which offer a fast response time and low power consumption. The colors change to green when the Formula 1 drivers can overtake the Safety Car or orange when no overtaking whatsoever is allowed. The roof light bar also incorporates a TV camera and a second camera located next to the rear number plate that allows the driver and co-driver to keep an eye on the Formula 1 cars.

The interior of the Mercedes SLS AMG Safety Car is almost identical to the production car, except of course for the two central monitors placed in the cockpit, which are used to monitor the progress of the race.

[Gridlock]

I know they say that, but I don't really believe them

[manchild]

Lambo Countach 5000qv
0-60 5.6
quarter mile 13

Mercedes SLS 2012
0-60 3.4
quarter mile 11.4

Mercedes C63 AMG Estate F1
0-60 4.6
quarter mile 15.3

I don't see the issue. The SLS would smoke this car in every way.

I wasn't thinking of performance, although Lambo was SC 30 years ago. Now, if 1 or 2 seconds advantage is something which modern Mercedes SC can laugh for at old Lambo, than it is really pathetic. What has F1 achieved since than (performance-wise) if modern SC with all possible electronics, ECU, carbon fiber etc. has just slightly better performance than car designed in early 70s, still having carburetors in 1983.

When we compare computers from that time for instance, than an obvious stagnation in F1 is visible. It started with ban of aero development in 1983, than continued with ban of suspension and brakes development in 1994, followed by gradual uniforming of tyres and engines.

Yes, yes, I know, contemporary F1 car is faster than F1 car from those 2 or 3 decades ago, but relative to elapsed time, F1 has hardly made a step forward, compared with consumer electronics, communications etc.

Back in those days, up to mid-90s, F1 was attracting people since it represented one of the areas of highest human achievements where we had technology, chemistry, physics, design, mechanics, electronics etc. all combined in one. It was just like space program. That was mind-blowing. For almost two decades now, it is mind-boring, and people loose interest in it.

[SeijaKessen]

Well don't forget that even though a Lambo was used for a safety car at one point, by and the large the safety cars were horrific in choice. The Renaults used in 1994 come to mind.

[RacingManiac]

Until you actually go with a full blown race car, anything is going to be much slower than a F1 car. Even if you use like a LMP car, it will sill be 20-30 sec a lap slower than a modern F1 car. And who will pay for the maintenance, running, and setup for a "racing" safety car?

Besides, the point is to put the field on a controlled pace that is safe for the marshall to do their work...

Unlike Le Mans or NASCAR or Indy car safety car also, the F1 SLS is going pretty much full tilt all around the track when they are out, Bernd Maylander is hopping curbs and squealing tires on track...

[Earnard Beccelstone]

You're hardly going to get something much faster than a 571 hp SLS unless you go to a pure-bred race car.

Mercedes have been supplying the safety car since 1996 and have done a pretty reasonable job of supplying the car, as has Bert Mylander.

Prior to that there were some pretty awful choices, the Fiat Tempra (1993 in Brazil) and the Opel Vectra (1994) come to mind.