KEY POINTS:
The world's coolest station wagon, the latest Formula 1 Medical Car, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG estate, will be on duty at all 18 F1 races this season, starting in Melbourne this weekend.
It joins the official Safety Car - a Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG coupe.
The Medical Car follows the F1 field on the first lap of the race. In the event of an accident, the Medical Car is the first vehicle on the scene. It's driven by Dr Jacques Tropenat (France), a medic and amateur race driver. His co-driver is Dr Gary Hartstein (Belgium), the FIA Grand Prix chief medical officer. Two assistants travel in the rear of the vehicle.
The Safety Car is on hand whenever safety is threatened by accidents, adverse weather or other hazardous situations. Driver Bernd Maylnder must guide the field around the circuit. Fast lap times are a must for the Safety Car - otherwise the Formula 1 cars' engines would overheat, and their tyres and brakes would cool down too much to restart racing when required.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles have had support roles for F1 since 1984.
