The Method 1–engined Mercedes-AMG One hypercar has held the manufacturing automotive lap file on the Nürburgring because it set a 6:35.183 lap time again in 2022, however now there’s a brand new file holder that’s the first highway automotive to lap the ’Ring in beneath six minutes and 30 seconds: The AMG One, once more. Mercedes wasn’t content material with the automotive’s efficiency a pair years in the past, so DTM driver Maro Engel went again and beat his personal file by greater than 5 seconds with a time of 6:29.090.
Again in 2022, the observe situations weren’t ideally suited, 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 trying to beat its personal time, Engel set the brand new file within the night on September 24. It was his closing 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 may get to racing slicks for the road. Mercedes made certain the One was completely arrange, with the utmost quantity of allowable camber, and Engel needed to make strategic use of the One’s advanced turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic techniques:
Like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on Method 1™ race weekends, Maro Engel additionally needed to make the absolute best use of the hybrid drive’s electrical power. That is significantly difficult, particularly with a observe size of greater than 12 miles. Due to this fact, it’s immensely necessary to make use of the proper sections of the observe for recuperation throughout braking phases.
To perform this, Maro Engel utilized the AMG ONE’s four-stage Vitality Stream Management (EFC) system and in some circumstances intentionally took his foot off the accelerator somewhat sooner than he usually would (often known as “elevate and coast”). Preliminary assessments within the driving simulator in Affalterbach and on the Nordschleife itself supplied the mandatory insights, which the crew and driver had been capable of optimally implement for the file lap.
Maro Engel chosen the “Race Plus” drive program. This ends in energetic, most doable aerodynamics, tight chassis tuning, automobile reducing 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 component 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 pace, which gives much more downforce. Maro Engel additionally discovered additional potential within the operation of the DRS system in comparison with his first file drive, to be able to notice the capabilities of the AMG hypercar much more completely.
It’s one factor to learn in regards to the lap, but it surely’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 pace of simply over 201 mph on the primary straight — the One will do a max of 219 in its low-drag configuration — but it surely’s the cornering speeds which can be essentially the most spectacular.
Along with video of the lap itself, Mercedes put out a terrific behind-the-scenes video surrounding the file try. Engel talks about latest modifications 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 exhibits the crew prepping the automotive, has an interview with AMG’s CEO and different enjoyable bits. It’s well worth the watch:
