The System 1–engined Mercedes-AMG One hypercar has held the manufacturing automobile lap report on the Nürburgring because it set a 6:35.183 lap time again in 2022, however now there’s a brand new report holder that’s the first highway automobile to lap the ’Ring in beneath six minutes and 30 seconds: The AMG One, once more. Mercedes wasn’t content material with the automobile’s efficiency a pair years in the past, so DTM driver Maro Engel went again and beat his personal report by greater than 5 seconds with a time of 6:29.090.
Again in 2022, the observe situations weren’t excellent, because it was too chilly and a few sections of the ’Ring had been damp. That didn’t cease the One from beating the Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT2 RS by three and a half seconds, however nonetheless, there was clearly time left on the desk. After months of testing and web hypothesis that AMG was making an attempt to beat its personal time, Engel set the brand new report within the night on September 24. It was his last try of the day, when the observe was completely dry, the ambient temperature was 59 levels Fahrenheit and the observe floor was 68 levels.
The tires used had been the identical Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MOs that come on each One, that are nearly as shut as you will get to racing slicks for the road. Mercedes made positive the One was completely arrange, with the utmost quantity of allowable camber, and Engel needed to make strategic use of the One’s complicated turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic techniques:
Like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on System 1™ race weekends, Maro Engel additionally needed to make the absolute best use of the hybrid drive’s electrical power. That is notably difficult, particularly with a observe size of greater than 12 miles. Subsequently, it’s immensely necessary to make use of the fitting sections of the observe for recuperation throughout braking phases.
To perform this, Maro Engel utilized the AMG ONE’s four-stage Power Circulate Management (EFC) system and in some circumstances intentionally took his foot off the accelerator a little bit sooner than he usually would (also referred to as “raise and coast”). Preliminary checks within the driving simulator in Affalterbach and on the Nordschleife itself supplied the required insights, which the crew and driver had been in a position to optimally implement for the report lap.
Maro Engel chosen the “Race Plus” drive program. This ends in energetic, most potential aerodynamics, tight chassis tuning, car decreasing by 1.5 inches (37 mm) on the entrance axle and 1.2 inches (30 mm) on the rear axle and, in fact, full energy from all motors. The Drag Discount System (DRS) is activated by the driving force by urgent a button on the steering wheel. This retracts the louvers on the entrance fenders in addition to the higher aero ingredient of the two-stage rear wing.
This technique reduces drag, which ensures greater speeds on the quick sections of the observe. In twisty sections, the aero parts prolong once more at lightning velocity, which offers much more downforce. Maro Engel additionally discovered additional potential within the operation of the DRS system in comparison with his first report drive, so as to notice the capabilities of the AMG hypercar much more completely.
It’s one factor to learn concerning the lap, nevertheless it’s one other to really watch it occur. Engel assaults corners with ferocity within the One, and it’s superior to see the energetic aero flaps on the entrance fenders opening and shutting. He reaches a velocity of simply over 201 mph on the principle straight — the One will do a max of 219 in its low-drag configuration — nevertheless it’s the cornering speeds which are essentially the most spectacular.
Along with video of the lap itself, Mercedes put out an incredible behind-the-scenes video surrounding the report try. Engel talks about latest adjustments to the observe that weren’t in AMG’s favor, how the crew collected knowledge forward of the try, and his pre-lap rituals. The video additionally reveals the crew prepping the automobile, has an interview with AMG’s CEO and different enjoyable bits. It’s definitely worth the watch:
