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Mercedes has announced that this year's F1 safety car will be based on its gull-wing SLS 63 AMG.

The supercharged V8 supercar, with its doors hinged on the roof, will be the fastest F1 safety car ever and draws its design cues from the classic 1950s Mercedes 300SL. The road-going SLS 63 AMG has recently gone on sale with a list price of £157,500 and 571bhp. It has been promoted recently by Michael Schumacher, in a dramatic TV advert that sees the German drive upside-down in a tunnel.

Bernd Maylander will again be the full-time safety car driver and will get his hands on the car it at the opening round in Bahrain in two-weeks time.