25 Years of the Mercedes-Benz R 230

 

Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (R 230). Driving shot from front left from the year 2001. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: A2001F2627)

• The R 230 ushered in a new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL tradition
• Its vario-roof transforms the coupé into a roadster (or vice versa) in just 16 seconds
• From comfortable touring car to high-performance AMG model: Exceptional versatility
• Mercedes-Benz MB-80 warranty package: Added peace of mind for modern classics

The Mercedes-Benz R 230 SL launched on the market 25 years ago. It embodied the properties of a sporty touring car in its purest form. With outstanding comfort, sophisticated performance and a timeless design, it was equally suited for relaxed long-distance touring as well as dynamic driving. With technical and safety innovations such as the vario-roof, the R 230 carried the Mercedes-Benz SL tradition into the 21st century. All of this now makes it a highly sought-after modern classic. At the same time, the model series represents a generational shift in the SL tradition: never before had an SL so consistently combined the classic virtues of a roadster with the technological opportunities of its times.

The vario-roof makes the R 230 a true master of transformation: at the touch of a button or via remote control, it can be opened or closed in just 16 seconds. Eleven hydraulic cylinders, 17 limit switches and numerous sensors perform the precisely choreographed sequence – and even rotate the rear window around its horizontal axis so that luggage capacity increases when the roof is open. The R 230 therefore unifies the advantages of a sports coupé and a roadster. As a world first, it also came with a panoramic vario-roof featuring a glass element. This creates the feeling of driving in the open air even when the roof is closed.

Particularly exclusive are vehicles with special equipment features from the design program, a predecessor of today’s MANUFAKTUR lines of equipment options. Bespoke exterior colors, premium Nappa leather, two-tone color combinations and select trim elements give these vehicles an unmistakable character. To this day, SL models with designo equipment options remain among the most desired variants of the model series.

Refined performance with V8 and V12

The SL 500 celebrated its world premiere in Hamburg’s Deichtorhallen on 31 July 2001. With its 5-litre V8 and 225 kW (306 hp), it marked the beginning of a model range with an exceptionally broad performance spectrum – from comfortable touring car all the way to high-performance sports car. Shortly after the market launch, the range was extended to include the SL 55 AMG, featuring a V8 supercharged engine delivering 350 kW (476 hp). The range went on to reach its pinnacle with the V12 biturbo-powered SL 600 and the SL 65 AMG Black Series with 493 kW (670 hp).

Just two days before the world premiere of the new SL model series, the general public already witnessed a sporty representative in action. At the German Grand Prix on 29 July 2001, the SL 55 AMG took over as the Formula 1® Safety Car. Even before its official unveiling, the new model series thus demonstrated its sporty character. In its 12/2001 issue, specialist magazine “sport auto” shared its first impressions of the new SL generation: “The new model is not only visually stunning and technically extremely appealing, it also reveals itself as [...] no stranger to genuine sporting capability.”

Safety and aerodynamics

The R 230 also set new standards in safety. Its passive safety concept is based on a body structure which strategically combines high-strength steel, aluminum, magnesium and various plastics. Thanks to its lightweight construction the R 230 is 20 per cent more torsionally rigid than its predecessor, the R 129. A newly developed head-thorax side airbag, combining the functions of a window airbag and a side airbag, reduces the risk of injury in case of an accident. Optimized aerodynamics also offer occupants better protection from draughts when driving with the roof down, while the drag coefficient value is significantly reduced to 0.29 compared to the R 129 (c_d = 0.32).

2026 Hungarian Grand Prix F1 Preview

 

Toto Talks Hungary

We have shown at every race so far that the performance is there. We have not converted enough of that potential into results though. We have lost points through self-inflicted issues, and we know we need to improve. The team is working flat out to understand the problems, fix them, and ensure we are giving both drivers the tools they need to maximise every weekend.

Hungary presents a different challenge to the circuits we have raced at recently. Silverstone and Spa are more energy-limited tracks; Budapest is much more energy-rich, which changes some of the demands on the car and the way you approach the weekend. As always, the field is competitive, and small details will make the difference.

Our objective is straightforward: execute a clean, reliable weekend, and score the points that the car is capable of achieving before we head into the summer break.

Third Driver Insight

The Hungarian Grand Prix is always an important race on the calendar as it's the final event before the summer shutdown. Every team will be looking to end the first half of the season on a high and carry some momentum into the break.

In some ways, Budapest is similar to Monaco because it's an energy-rich circuit. It's a relatively traditional approach when it comes to both the PU and aerodynamic setup, with teams running maximum downforce and using maximum engine power throughout the lap. That makes it a really exciting circuit for the drivers.

The conditions are often very hot, which adds another challenge. It's a demanding track with lots of corners and very little time to rest during the lap, so it keeps you busy from start to finish.

I'll also be driving in FP1 this weekend, so I'm really excited to get back behind the wheel of the W17 and continue building my experience with the car. It's a great opportunity and one I'm looking forward to making the most of.

Did you know?

• This year, the Hungaroring is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hungary first appeared on the calendar in 1986 and has hosted a race in every single season since.
• The circuit features 14 corners, six to the left and eight to the right. Many of these follow one after another in quick succession, meaning a well-balanced car that can handle directional changes is important for lap time.
• Despite a relatively short start/finish straight, the distance from pole position to the braking zone for Turn 1 measures 440 metres.
• Given the prevalence of slower corners, good traction is important here. That is why this circuit puts the rear tyres under a lot of stress.
• George scored his first F1 pole position in Budapest in 2022.
• Mercedes-Benz Power recorded its 600th F1 podium at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Two world champions have been crowned in Hungary - Nigel Mansell in 1992, and Michael Schumacher in 2001.
• Kimi’s maiden Formula 2 Feature Race win came in Hungary in 2024. At the time, he was the youngest multiple winner in the series history after also winning at Silverstone a few weeks earlier.

Friday Belgium GP F1 Update

 

Fascinating Friday in Belgium

• The final double-header before the summer shutdown got underway at Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes of Belgium.
• The first hour of practice proved difficult for the team with neither driver comfortable with the car balance; Kimi ended FP1 P6 with George P8.
• Solid work from the team between the sessions led to improvements though with Kimi topping the times in FP2 on the single lap.
• George would end the day’s running P8 but that was after a solitary Soft tyre effort with tyres not quite in the right window. 
• The usual long run work was interrupted by a lengthy red flag with the Alpine of Pierre Gasly finding the barrier at Turn 13. 
• That means we head into the weekend with more unknowns than usual on what is set to be a typically competitive Saturday and Sunday.

• Kimi Antonelli

  After a tricky FP1, we made several changes to the car that improved things. That gives us a positive direction to follow as we head into the rest of the weekend. There is still lots of work for us to do, both in terms of set-up and also with my driving. Whilst we ended the day quickest, we know just how competitive the field is looking on both the single lap and the long run. Overall, though, we’re happy that we enjoyed a much better second hour of practice and we’re looking forward to the weekend.

  Our goal as always is to maximise our points scoring and fight for the win. Whilst Silverstone was disappointing for me, it’s already behind us and I feel in a good place. Our pace was strong there and whilst Spa presents a different challenge, after today, we can be confident of getting ourselves in the fight at the front.

  George Russell

  We haven’t had the smoothest Friday here in Spa. We overestimated the grip levels in FP1 and that meant our starting set-up wasn’t in the right place. We struggled with a difficult car balance and, whilst we were able to complete some learning, it wasn’t the ideal way to start our weekend.

  We therefore worked hard ahead of FP2 and made some changes which improved things. There is still more lap time we can find, particularly on the single lap, and we will look to do that overnight. Our long run was more competitive and that gives us encouragement heading into Saturday and Sunday. 

  Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

  There was less grip than we were expecting in FP1 and that meant the car was under-winged during that first hour. The drivers were fighting a tricky balance and thus didn’t have the confidence in the car to extract the lap time. Both George and Kimi did well to work with a car that was proving a handful and give us a good direction for FP2.

  The changes we made between the sessions did their job and the car was in a much happier place come FP2. Kimi was able to hook his Soft tyre lap up to top the times and whilst George ended the day in P8, that is not representative of what he is capable of. He only had one go at it and we can see several areas where he will extract more time as we head into the weekend. 

  The competitive picture looks tight as it has in recent races. Our goal is always to get both our cars at the front; our long runs looked solid and race pace is by far the most important thing around Spa. We will work hard overnight to find more pace and do our bit as a team to make sure we are in the best possible position for the rest of the weekend.

  Less

Belgian F1 GP 2026

 Toto Talks Belgium

The last few races have underlined both where our strengths are and where we need to improve. We have a car capable of fighting at the front and scoring heavily, but we have not converted that potential into the best possible results. Reliability issues have cost us points, and in a championship this competitive, that is something we cannot afford. There is no value in having the pace if we don't bring home the result.

 

Spa is one of the great challenges on the calendar. Like Silverstone, energy management will play an important role, but the characteristics of the circuit create different demands. It usually produces exciting racing and genuine overtaking opportunities, while qualifying remains a significant test.

Did you know --- 

•        At 7.004km, Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the F1 calendar. As a result, the race is run over the shortest number of laps of the year: 44.

•        The run down to the first braking zone at Turn One (La Source) is one of the shortest of the season at just 150m. Only Azerbaijan (90m) and Las Vegas (111m) are shorter.

•        The tow at Spa-Francorchamps is very powerful due to the long straights, particularly the section after Raidillon. On the first lap this is even more powerful, because drivers chasing can pick up a tow from multiple cars.

•        Tyre duty and wear are some of the highest of the season at Spa, with high averages across all four corners of the car.

•        The Belgian Grand Prix is back to the traditional weekend format this year after hosting a Sprint weekend last year.

•        The event forms part of Spa's new long-term rotation agreement with Formula One, securing the Belgian Grand Prix's place on the calendar through 2031 on selected years.

•        Mercedes has recorded 11 podium finishes and three 1-2 finishes at Spa-

Francorchamps since returning to Formula One as a works team in 2010.

•        Mercedes has six wins at Spa - the first coming with Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 2025 Sustainability Report

 

• 54% reduction in Race Team Control emissions1 with SAFc compared to our 2022 baseline, demonstrating the decoupling of business growth from emissions.
• First use of a bio-based carbon fiber composite on a technically performant car part.
• First use of electric power in our race logistics with the Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros 600 transporting our race cars to a European race weekend.
• Successful conclusion of Accelerate 25 with 37.8% of new team members in 2025 joining from under-represented groups. 
• Most successful year to date for charity fundraising efforts.
• First Climate Transition Action Plan published, outlining our planned pathway to full Net Zero across all scopes by 2040.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team today published our 2025 Sustainability Report, demonstrating the latest progress towards our ambition to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams. 

Formula One is the world’s fastest laboratory and our team is proud to be one of the sport’s most relentless experimenters. Since 2022 we have reduced our Race Team Control emissions1 by 54% and our latest report reflects on a year where our business has grown whilst net carbon emissions have fallen. In 2025 we achieved a 28% decrease in Race Team Control emissions and a reduction of 15% in overall emissions2 compared to 2024 - a clear signal that our work to reduce emissions is paying off. 

2025 was also the final year of our Accelerate 25 program, a five-year commitment to building a more inclusive team, and our most successful year to date for fundraising, with total charitable donations having now exceeded half a million pounds since 2020. Our trackside and regional initiatives, year-round engagement and continued investment continue to positively impact the places we go racing and communities closer to our home.

These efforts are made possible through industry-leading Governance and our performance mindset. When our foundations are solid, we can continue to drive sustainable high performance.  

Toto Wolff, Co-Owner, Team Principal & CEO, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

“Competing in Formula One brings both responsibility and opportunities. In 2025, we made significant investments in new materials, new efficiencies and in scaling new sustainable solutions. In an era when innovation drives performance and shapes industry futures, the pursuit of smarter and faster technologies has become a defining challenge of our time.

"These investments are backed by a clear business case and made by a team that knows how to move first and how to move fast. While we are driven by performance on track, we’ve seen time and again that our innovations bring benefits far beyond the grid. We invest in our people with the same conviction because our goals need us to be at our best - driven, brave, committed and collaborative. I have always believed that our car is only as good as the team behind it. Create the conditions, provide the support, build the culture and they unlock progress.

"Our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams and 2025 was the year that sustainability became inseparable from performance. I am proud to lead a team committed to that goal - and capable of achieving it.”

Our work across sustainability is structured around four pillars through which we aim to create a lasting impact. 

On The Road

Reducing the footprint of our global operations and logistics as we travel around the world.

• 54% reduction in market-based Race Team Control emissions with SAFc vs 2022 baseline.
• 28% decrease in market-based Race Team Control emissions with SAFc and a reduction of 15% in overall emissions with SAFc since 2024.
• 30,688 tCO₂e aviation emissions reduced through use of SAFc between 2025 and 2022, with 11,504 tCO₂e saved in 2025.
• 99% coverage of HVO100 for 2025 European season race and marketing trucks. 

At Home

Minimizing our environmental impact and fostering a thriving, inclusive culture across our home.

• 37.8% of our new team members in 2025 joined from under-represented groups (women and minority ethnic groups). 
• Since 2020, charitable donations have exceeded £500,000.
• Supported 70 local, national and international causes through corporate donations.
• 100% market-based renewable electricity sourced through REGOs at Brackley factory.
• Since 2022, gas consumption has fallen 49%, from 1.4 million kWh to 732,000 kWh.
• Became the first F1 team to achieve ISCC+ certification for cured composite components (carbon fiber and resin).

On The Car

Pushing for progress on and off the track by making our cars and technology more sustainable and advancing social impact through trackside initiatives.

• First racing use of a bio-based carbon fiber composite using resin which included bio-diesel by-products on a technically performant car part.
• Launch of a formal Supplier Code of Conduct - designed by our Governance team and developed with multistakeholder input and external expertise.
• With Motorsport UK, funded sustainable fuel use in the IAME Waterswift Restricted Cadet Class, one of four in the British Kart Championships, backing the next generation of young drivers. 

Beyond Our World

Going above and beyond to extend our influence through global collaboration and cross-industry leadership. 

• Approximately 18,900 tCO₂e of carbon removals committed across nature-based, hybrid and engineered portfolio, to be delivered across 2024-2030.
• In 2025, we launched the Blue Carbon Collective3 in partnership with PETRONAS, funding mangrove conservation and restoration research in Malaysia.
• Continued to support a range of initiatives for children and young people from primary through to higher education, including scholarships, work experience and early career mentoring to open up the world of F1 to new audiences. 

Bradley Lord, Deputy Team Principal, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

“In 2025, for the first time, our business grew while our net carbon emissions fell. This marks an inflection point signaling that after years of effort, expertise and investment, our work is paying off. Every team member should feel proud of their contribution to reaching this milestone. Today, wherever you look across our team, sustainability is making its mark. And the shift runs even deeper than what you can see. Sustainable high performance is a mindset that we all share.

"Our sustainability journey is going to get harder from here. We are starting to tackle problems we don’t yet have answers to. As a team of problem solvers, we are in our element. F1 has always been a place where we can prove to the world what’s possible. We know what we’re taking on, and we know what we’re capable of.”

Our Climate Transition Action Plan

2026 represents a new era for our sport and we published our first Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) today which sets out our commitments to achieve Net Zero across all scopes by 2040. 

With clear targets to cover Scope 3 emissions, including our pathway to Race Team Control Net Zero by 2030, alongside a new supply chain target for 2030, the CTAP is not just focused on reducing our impact but is intended to leverage our innovation capability, our platform and our partnerships to accelerate change beyond Formula One.

The CTAP sets out two ambitious carbon reduction targets: a near-term target to reduce total emissions by 42% by 2030 against our 2022 baseline, and a longer-term target to reach Net Zero across all scopes by 2040. Delivery will be driven through a combination of reducing Race Team Control emissions and working with our suppliers on their own decarbonization journeys, as well as investing high-quality removals to address the small proportion of residual emissions that cannot be eliminated through reductions. 

This approach is aligned with the Oxford Offsetting Principles and includes a 75% reduction and 25% removals approach for Race Team Control emissions, including 26% reduction in supply chain and downstream emissions by 2030.

The CTAP was developed alongside our Team Partners, including our Official Lighting Partner, Signify.

Our Executive Summary, Engineering Change, is available here.

Our 2025 Sustainability Report and Climate Transition Action Plan are available here.

1 Race Team Control emissions encompass emissions that we directly control, including market-based Scopes 1 and 2 and selected Scope 3 emissions (Business Travel, Upstream Transportation and Distribution, Employee Commuting, Waste and Fuel and Energy Related Activities). These emissions are reported inclusive of SAFc unless explicitly stated.

2 Inclusive of SAFc.

3 Blue Carbon Collective is a Global South-South research project which aims to advance research and knowledge exchange on mangrove ecosystems focused on restoration and understanding their potential for carbon capture and storage.

George Russell Victory at Austrian F1 GP at Speilberg

 

Victory in Spielberg

• George Russell finished first, whilst Kimi Antonelli finished third at the end of Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
• It was a tough afternoon at the front, with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen applying sustained pressure throughout, while both drivers were required to manage a demanding and closely fought race.
• Having started on the medium compound, both George and Kimi executed a Medium‑Hard‑Hard two-stop strategy, one of the preferred approaches for today’s race.
• Verstappen, in the Red Bull, followed a similar two‑stop approach and was able to use strong late-race pace to close onto George and challenge for the lead.
• In the closing laps, Kimi put Verstappen under significant pressure for P2, reducing the gap and taking the fight all the way to the line, but ultimately had to settle for third.
• George controlled the race from the front, managing the final stint to secure the win despite the late pressure.
• With victory, George reduces Kimi’s advantage in the Drivers’ standings to 40 points whilst the team holds a 98-point advantage in the Constructors’.
• The team now heads back home for the second leg of this double-header nearby at Silverstone. 

Driver	Grid	Result	Fastest Lap	Start Tyre	Stop One	Stop Two
George Russell	P1	P1	1:10.683	Medium	Hard (Lap 24)	Hard (Lap 53)
Kimi Antonelli	P4	P3	1:10.374	Medium	Hard (Lap 19)	Hard (Lap 43)

George Russell

I’m really pleased with that result. It’s never straightforward around here and we were under pressure for much of the race, particularly in the final stint, so to convert pole into the win is very satisfying.

The team did a great job with the strategy and gave me a car that I could manage well across the race. In those conditions, it’s about keeping things simple, focusing on just driving, and I think we executed that well today.

It’s also great to score strong points together as a team. Kimi did a good job to recover and get himself back into the fight, which was important for the overall result.

We know it’s very tight at the front and our competitors are pushing us hard, so we have to keep working to find more performance. For now, though, we can take the positives from this weekend and look ahead to Silverstone next week.

Kimi Antonelli

It was not a straightforward race from my side. The first stint wasn’t where it needed to be and I struggled a bit with the brakes early on. After that, the pace was much better and I was able to get back into the fight. I think if we had a few more laps, it could have been an interesting battle for P2 at the end.

Congratulations to George on the win today. He did a great job managing the race, especially in the final stint under pressure. It’s a strong result for the whole team to have both cars scoring well and bringing home good points.

There is still a lot for me to learn, and this weekend has been a good reminder of that. I will take the lessons and come back stronger next weekend.

I’m looking forward to Silverstone. It’s always a special circuit and, with it being a sprint weekend, it will be important to be on it from the first session.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO

It was a race where we were under constant pressure and closer to our competitors than we would have liked. Red Bull were very competitive, particularly in the final stint, and we had to manage that all the way to the line.

George handled the race well. In those situations, it’s about keeping things simple and just driving, and he did exactly that without making mistakes when it mattered.

Kimi also showed good resilience after the start. He recovered well, got himself back into the fight, and was applying pressure for P2 right to the end of the race.

We scored strong points for the team today, but it also underlines how tight the competition is at the front and where we need to continue improving

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

Today was a great result for the team and a great result for George. It was good to see him take another well-deserved win and nice to have Kimi on the podium with him. It was one of those races where we were wishing it was a lap longer as it looked like Kimi had the pace to pass Max, but a podium is a solid result.  

The strategy team made good calls throughout the race. George was able to build a useful gap in the first stint, and we reacted well to cover the undercut threat from Verstappen heading into the final stint. Kimi also showed strong pace, making a good move on Leclerc early on and then using that to offset his strategy, which gave him the benefit of fresher tyres towards the end.

End of stint performance was a key factor today. It looked like only Verstappen, and our two drivers were able to manage tyre degradation effectively as the stints went beyond 20 laps, which is encouraging, particularly heading into the hotter races where that will be tested further.

It’s been a solid weekend in terms of points for the team, but it’s clear the field is very close. We’ll need to keep finding improvements and bringing performance if we want to maintain that position over the coming races.