Seven-time Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher, has been named safety ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, making his first appearance in his new role on May 1, a company official said.

The long-term partnership will focus on the development of its intelligent drive safety system. Schumacher will help develop the system that seeks to improve road safety, Mercedes-Benz said in a statement.

The former Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz driver said that he was always "a supporter of driving aides in racing as well as street cars" and used such systems to his advantage during his F1 career.

The technologies under the automaker’s intelligent drive category include improved night vision, adaptive cruise control, auto braking and steering, and LED headlights.

“The future interests me much more than the present and past,” Schumacher said. “During my Formula 1 time I always believed that you must not allow yourself to rest on your laurels, but that you must continuously try to improve.”

“In doing so I was very often able to rely on the help of all the technologies available to me in the car and use them to my advantage. That is why I am a declared supporter of driving assistance systems both in the racing car and in the road-going car.”

Safety ranks very high on Mercedes-Benz manufacturing agenda, the statement said. Every vehicle is equipped with globally-recognised safety systems that ensure the highest levels of security for both drivers and passengers. – TradeArabia News Service