Safety Car (2024)

Safety Car (1)

A safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of the cars on the track when the track is under caution conditions. The safety car is driven by a professional safety car driver, which is currently Bernd Mayländer.

  • 1 Procedure
    • 1.1 Safety Car
    • 1.2 Virtual Safety Car
  • 2 History
  • 3 Cars
  • 4 Safety car finishes
  • 5 List of Safety Car deployments
    • 5.1 Safety car deployments in Formula One races
    • 5.2 List of virtual safety car deployments in Formula One races
  • 6 See also
  • 7 Notes
  • 8 External Links

Procedure[]

Safety Car[]

If an incident takes place on track, yellow flags may be put out for that sector or turn. However, if the incident may block the track, or leaves a lot of debris on track, the Safety Car may be deployed to slow the drivers down while the marshals work.

Before reaching the Safety Car, all drivers must slow down to a minimum delta, like with the Virtual Safety Car. Behind the Safety Car, drivers must not overtake and remain in position. The reduced speeds will reduce brake and tyres temperature quite a bit, so to warm them up to optimum, drivers will often do burnouts and swerve from side to side, like with the formation lap.

Drivers are allowed to make a pit stop under the Safety Car, which can be beneficial for some drivers if the Safety Car is deployed near their strategic pit window since the time loss from the pit stop is drastically reduced.

After all debris is cleared, Race Control will allow all lapped cars to overtake the leader. Shortly after, Race Control will give a signal that the Safety Car is coming in. Drivers will be notified by team radio, and the Safety Car's lights will turn off.

When the Safety Car returns to the pit lane, the leader of the race is given control of the field. The cars behind must wait for the leader to return to racing speed and cross the Start/Finish line before they can continue racing. Once the leader returns to racing speed, the race resumes.

Virtual Safety Car[]

In situations where Race Control wants the cars to slow down but the situation is not severe enough to require a full safety car, the Virtual Safety Car (or VSC) may be deployed. This is typically done for incidents that will not take long to fix, such as a stranded car that stopped near a marshal post or track access point.

During the VSC, drivers are slowed down by 30% using an automated timing system. Drivers can see a VSC time delta on their steering wheels that shows their time relative to the VSC time. The delta is updated every 50 meters. The circuit is divided into many smaller sectors and drivers must be above the VSC delta time (below the maximum speed) at least once per sector.

Like under the Safety Car, drivers are permitted to make pit stops while the VSC is active, provided the pit lane is not closed. However, unlike the Safety Car, drivers do not bunch together during the VSC, nor are lapped cars given the opportunity to overtake the leader.

Once it is safe to return to normal racing conditions, drivers are given a warning that the VSC is ending and shortly after the green flag will be shown and the race will resume. The VSC can be withdrawn at any point on the circuit and after any duration.

History[]

Main article: Safety car driver

The safety car was first used during the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix and was driven by former Canadian race car driver Eppie Wietzes. When the car was first used, it took the incorrect position, placing a car 1 lap down. It took several hours after the race to determine the winner and sort out the confusion. The pace car would not be used again for another two decades.

The safety car was officially introduced during the 1993 season, in the Brazilian Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix.

The Virtual Safety Car was first introduced in 2015 in response to Jules Bianchi's fatal accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, in which he lost control of his car in wet weather conditions and struck a piece of equipment that was being used to clear the car of Adrian Sutil, who had crash the previous lap.

The VSC was first deployed at the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix when Max Verstappen crashed heavily into the barriers, although it was later changed to the full Safety Car.

Cars[]

YearNameImageRounds
1973Porsche 914

Safety Car (2)

Canada
1974-1975No safety car used
1976Porsche 911

Safety Car (3)

Monaco
1977-1980No safety car used
1981Lamborghini Countach

Safety Car (4)

Monaco
1982

Safety Car (5)

Monaco
1983

Safety Car (6)

Monaco
1984-1992No safety car used
1993Fiat Tempra

Safety Car (7)

Brazil
Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Safety Car (8)

Britain
1994Opel Vectra

Safety Car (9)

San Marino
Honda Prelude

Safety Car (10)

Japan
1995Porsche 911 GT2

Safety Car (11)

Belgium
Lamborghini Diablo

Safety Car (12)

Canada
1996Renault Clio

Safety Car (13)

Argentina
Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG

Safety Car (14)

Belgium
1997

Safety Car (15)

Brazil-San Marino
Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (C208)

Safety Car (16)

Monaco-Europe
1998

Safety Car (17)

All
1999

Safety Car (18)

All
2000Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG

Safety Car (19)

All
2001Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG

Safety Car (20)

All
2002

Safety Car (21)

All
2003Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (C209)

Safety Car (22)

All
2004Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

Safety Car (23)

All
2005

Safety Car (24)

All
2006Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG

Safety Car (25)

All
2007

Safety Car (26)

All
2008Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Safety Car (27)

All
2009

Safety Car (28)

All
2010Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Safety Car (29)

All
2011

Safety Car (30)

All
2012Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Safety Car (31)

All
2013

Safety Car (32)

All
2014

Safety Car (33)

All
2015Mercedes-AMG GT S
2016
2017
2018Mercedes-AMG GT R
2019
2020
2021
Aston Martin Vantage
2022Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Aston Martin Vantage

Safety car finishes[]

Very rarely, a race may finish behind the safety car due to accidents or incidents happening near the end of a race. Only ten (10) Grands Prix have finished behind the safety car:

Additionally, five Grands Prix have been ended prematurely while under safety car conditions:

List of Safety Car deployments[]

Below you can find two lists showing when, why, and how long a safety car was deployed during a Formula One race. The first list shows regular safety car deployments and the second list shows virtual safety car (VSC) deployments.

Safety car deployments in Formula One races[]

Grand PrixCauseDeployed (lap)Called in (lap)Number of full laps
1Safety Car (34) 1973 Canadian Grand PrixAccident33395
2Safety Car (35) 1993 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident/Rain29388
3Safety Car (36) 1993 British Grand PrixStranded car38401
4Safety Car (37) 1994 San Marino Grand PrixAccident164
5Safety Car (38) 1995 Belgian Grand PrixRain28334
6Safety Car (39) 1996 Argentine Grand PrixAccident28334
7Safety Car (40) 1996 Belgian Grand PrixAccident13184
8Safety Car (41) 1997 Argentine Grand PrixAccident164
9Safety Car (42) 1997 Belgian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)43
10Safety Car (43) 1998 Canadian Grand PrixAccident164
11Debris15182
12Accident20221
13Safety Car (44) 1998 British Grand PrixRain42496
14Safety Car (45) 1998 Austrian Grand PrixTwo accidents142
15Safety Car (46) 1998 Belgian Grand PrixAccident28334
16Safety Car (47) 1999 Australian Grand PrixAccident15171
17Accident20254
18Safety Car (48) 1999 Canadian Grand PrixAccident131
19Accident384
20Accident35415
21Accident66NA (Race finished behind SC)3
22Safety Car (49) 1999 French Grand PrixStranded car/Rain253610
23Safety Car (50) 1999 European Grand PrixAccident164
24Safety Car (51) 2000 Australian Grand PrixAccident7113
25Safety Car (52) 2000 Austrian Grand PrixAccident131
26Safety Car (53) 2000 German Grand PrixMan on track25293
27Accident30321
28Safety Car (54) 2000 Belgian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)21
29Safety Car (55) 2000 Italian Grand PrixMultiple accidents11211
30Safety Car (56) 2000 Malaysian Grand PrixAccident131
31Safety Car (57) 2001 Australian Grand PrixAccident5159
32Safety Car (58) 2001 Malaysian Grand PrixRain4116
33Safety Car (59) 2001 Brazilian Grand PrixStranded car131
34Safety Car (60) 2001 Austrian Grand PrixFour stranded cars142
35Safety Car (61) 2001 Canadian Grand PrixAccident21242
36Safety Car (62) 2001 Belgian Grand PrixAccident67 (After red flag)1
37Safety Car (63) 2002 Australian Grand PrixAccident164
38Accident9122
39Safety Car (64) 2002 Austrian Grand PrixStranded car24283
40Accident28378
41Safety Car (65) 2002 Canadian Grand PrixStranded car14172
42Safety Car (66) 2003 Australian Grand PrixTwo accidents8112
43Stranded car16203
44Safety Car (67) 2003 Brazilian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)98
45Accident18245
46Three accidents27302
47Accident33373
48Two accidents54NA (Red flag)2
49Safety Car (68) 2003 Austrian Grand PrixStranded car153
50Safety Car (69) 2003 British Grand PrixDebris from car571
51Man on track12152
52Safety Car (70) 2004 Monaco Grand PrixAccident384
53Accident32374
54Safety Car (71) 2004 United States Grand PrixAccident164
55Accident11208
56Safety Car (72) 2004 Belgian Grand PrixAccident153
57Accident31342
58Debris from accident38423
59Safety Car (73) 2005 Monaco Grand PrixStranded car25293
60Safety Car (74) 2005 Canadian Grand PrixAccident46525
61Safety Car (75) 2005 British Grand PrixAccident131
62Safety Car (76) 2005 Belgian Grand PrixAccident11142
63Safety Car (77) 2005 Japanese Grand PrixAccident186
64Safety Car (78) 2005 Chinese Grand PrixLoose drain cover19255
65Accident29355
66Safety Car (79) 2006 Australian Grand PrixAccident131
67Accident8101
68Accident32352
69Accident36403
70Safety Car (80) 2006 San Marino Grand PrixAccident131
71Safety Car (81) 2006 Monaco Grand PrixStranded car47491
72Safety Car (82) 2006 British Grand PrixAccident241
73Safety Car (83) 2006 Canadian Grand PrixAccident241
74Accident61642
75Safety Car (84) 2006 United States Grand PrixTwo accidents175
76Safety Car (85) 2006 Hungarian Grand PrixAccident26314
77Safety Car (86) 2006 Turkish Grand PrixStranded car13162
78Safety Car (87) 2006 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident263
79Safety Car (88) 2007 Bahrain Grand PrixAccident142
80Safety Car (89) 2007 Canadian Grand PrixAccident22263
81Accident26347
82Debris from accident50543
83Accident55604
84Safety Car (90) 2007 European Grand PrixAccidents37 (After red flag)3
85Safety Car (91) 2007 Italian Grand PrixAccident175
86Safety Car (92) 2007 Japanese Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)2019
87Accident41486
88Safety Car (93) 2008 Australian Grand PrixAccident131
89Accident26303
90Accident44472
91Safety Car (94) 2008 Spanish Grand PrixAccident142
92Accident22296
93Safety Car (95) 2008 Turkish Grand PrixAccident131
94Safety Car (96) 2008 Monaco Grand PrixAccident8112
95Accident62674
96Safety Car (97) 2008 Canadian Grand PrixStranded car16225
97Safety Car (98) 2008 German Grand PrixAccident36425
98Safety Car (99) 2008 Italian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)32
99Safety Car (100) 2008 Singapore Grand PrixAccident14205
100Accident46536
101Safety Car (101) 2008 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident142
102Safety Car (102) 2009 Australian Grand PrixAccident19244
103Accident55NA (Race finished behind SC)3
104Safety Car (103) 2009 Malaysian Grand PrixRain31NA (Red flag)1
105Safety Car (104) 2009 Chinese Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)87
106Debris from accident18223
107Safety Car (105) 2009 Spanish Grand PrixAccident153
108Safety Car (106) 2009 Belgian Grand PrixAccident153
109Safety Car (107) 2009 Italian Grand PrixAccident53NA (Race finished behind SC)1
110Safety Car (108) 2009 Singapore Grand PrixAccident21275
111Safety Car (109) 2009 Japanese Grand PrixAccident175
112Safety Car (110) 2009 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident165
113Safety Car (111) 2010 Australian Grand PrixAccident252
114Safety Car (112) 2010 Chinese Grand PrixAccident142
115Debris from accident22263
116Safety Car (113) 2010 Monaco Grand PrixAccident175
117Accident31342
118Loose drain cover43462
119Accident75NA (Race finished behind SC)3
120Safety Car (114) 2010 European Grand PrixAccident10154
121Safety Car (115) 2010 British Grand PrixDebris from car28312
122Safety Car (116) 2010 Hungarian Grand PrixDebris from car15182
123Safety Car (117) 2010 Belgian Grand PrixAccident241
124Accident38412
125Safety Car (118) 2010 Singapore Grand PrixAccident362
126Accident31364
127Safety Car (119) 2010 Japanese Grand PrixAccident175
128Safety Car (120) 2010 Korean Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)4 (After red flag)3
129Rain4 (Race resumed behind SC)1814
130Accident19244
131Accident31353
132Safety Car (121) 2010 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident51564
133Safety Car (122) 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixAccident164
134Safety Car (123) 2011 Monaco Grand PrixAccident35393
135Safety Car (124) 2011 Canadian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)65
136Accident8134
137Rain2026 (After red flag)6
138Rain26 (Race resumed behind SC)348
139Accident37402
140Debris from accident56614
141Safety Car (125) 2011 Belgian Grand PrixAccident13173
142Safety Car (126) 2011 Italian Grand PrixAccident143
143Safety Car (127) 2011 Singapore Grand PrixAccident30343
144Safety Car (128) 2011 Japanese Grand PrixDebris from accident24283
145Safety Car (129) 2011 Korean Grand PrixAccident17213
146Safety Car (130) 2012 Australian Grand PrixStranded car37424
147Safety Car (131) 2012 Malaysian Grand PrixRain610 (After red flag)4
148Rain10 (Race resumed behind SC)155
149Safety Car (132) 2012 Monaco Grand PrixAccident230
150Safety Car (133) 2012 European Grand PrixDebris from accident28334
151Safety Car (134) 2012 Belgian Grand PrixAccident153
152Safety Car (135) 2012 Singapore Grand PrixAccident33384
153Accident40421
154Safety Car (136) 2012 Japanese Grand PrixAccident120
155Safety Car (137) 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixAccident9144
156Accident39422
157Safety Car (138) 2012 Brazilian Grand PrixDebris23295
158Accident70NA (Race finished behind SC)1
159Safety Car (139) 2013 Monaco Grand PrixAccident31386
160Accident47 (Resumed behind SC)470
161Accident63673
162Safety Car (140) 2013 British Grand PrixDebris from car16214
163Stranded car42452
164Safety Car (141) 2013 German Grand PrixStranded car24294
165Safety Car (142) 2013 Singapore Grand PrixAccident25304
166Safety Car (143) 2013 Korean Grand PrixDebris31364
167Vehicle on track38401
168Safety Car (144) 2013 United States Grand PrixAccident153
169Safety Car (145) 2014 Australian Grand PrixDebris from car12163
170Safety Car (146) 2014 Bahrain Grand PrixAccident42463
171Safety Car (147) 2014 Monaco Grand PrixAccident153
172Accident26303
173Safety Car (148) 2014 Canadian Grand PrixAccident186
174Accident6870 (finished under the SC)1
175Safety Car (149) 2014 British Grand PrixAccident12 (After red flag)0
176Safety Car (150) 2014 German Grand PrixAccident131
177Safety Car (151) 2014 Hungarian Grand PrixTwo accidents8145
178Accident23284
179Safety Car (152) 2014 Singapore Grand PrixDebris from accident31375
180Safety Car (153) 2014 Japanese Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)3 (After red flag)2
181Rain3 (Race resumed behind SC)96
182Accident44NA (Red flag)4
183Safety Car (154) 2014 United States Grand PrixAccident153
184Safety Car (155) 2015 Australian Grand PrixAccident142
185Safety Car (156) 2015 Malaysian Grand PrixAccident472
186Safety Car (157) 2015 Chinese Grand PrixStranded car54NA (Race finished behind SC)1
187Safety Car (158) 2015 Monaco Grand PrixAccident64705
188Safety Car (159) 2015 Austrian Grand PrixAccident175
189Safety Car (160) 2015 British Grand PrixAccident142
190Safety Car (161) 2015 Hungarian Grand PrixAccident44483
191Safety Car (162) 2015 Singapore Grand PrixDebris from accident15182
192Man on track37402
193Safety Car (163) 2015 Russian Grand PrixAccident142
194Accident12185
195Safety Car (164) 2015 United States Grand PrixStranded car27324
196Accident43473
197Safety Car (165) 2015 Mexican Grand PrixAccident52574
198Safety Car (166) 2016 Australian Grand PrixAccident1819 (After red flag)0
199Safety Car (167) 2016 Chinese Grand PrixDebris from car4105
200Safety Car (168) 2016 Russian Grand PrixAccident142
201Safety Car (169) 2016 Monaco Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)87
202Safety Car (170) 2016 Austrian Grand PrixDebris from car27313
203Safety Car (171) 2016 British Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)65
204Safety Car (172) 2016 Belgian Grand PrixAccident6103
205Safety Car (173) 2016 Singapore Grand PrixAccident120
206Safety Car (174) 2016 Mexican Grand PrixAccident142
207Safety Car (175) 2016 Brazilian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)76
208Accident1320 (Red Flag)6
209Rain21 (Race resumed behind SC)32 (After red flag)11
210Accident48556
211Safety Car (176) 2017 Chinese Grand PrixAccident483
212Safety Car (177) 2017 Bahrain Grand PrixAccident13162
213Safety Car (178) 2017 Russian Grand PrixAccident131
214Safety Car (179) 2017 Canadian Grand PrixAccident131
215Safety Car (180) 2017 Monaco Grand PrixAccident60665
216Safety Car (181) 2017 Azerbaijan Grand PrixStranded car12163
217Debris from car17191
218Debris from accident2023 (After red flag)2
219Safety Car (182) 2017 British Grand PrixAccident241
220Safety Car (183) 2017 Hungarian Grand PrixAccident153
221Safety Car (184) 2017 Belgian Grand PrixDebris from accident30332
222Safety Car (185) 2017 Singapore Grand PrixAccident142
223Accident11142
224Accident38412
225Safety Car (186) 2017 Japanese Grand PrixAccident230
226Safety Car (187) 2017 Brazilian Grand PrixAccident153
227Safety Car (188) 2018 Australian Grand PrixStranded car28312
228Safety Car (189) 2018 Chinese Grand PrixDebris from accident31353
229Safety Car (190) 2018 Azerbaijan Grand PrixTwo accidents142
230Two accidents40476
231Safety Car (191) 2018 Spanish Grand PrixAccident164
232Safety Car (192) 2018 Canadian Grand PrixAccident142
233Safety Car (193) 2018 French Grand PrixAccident153
234Safety Car (194) 2018 British Grand PrixAccident33373
235Accident39411
236Safety Car (195) 2018 German Grand PrixAccident52574
237Safety Car (196) 2018 Belgian Grand PrixAccident142
238Safety Car (197) 2018 Italian Grand PrixAccident131
239Safety Car (198) 2018 Singapore Grand PrixAccident142
240Safety Car (199) 2018 Japanese Grand PrixDebris from accident472
241Safety Car (200) 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixAccident142
242Safety Car (201) 2019 Bahrain Grand PrixTwo stranded cars55NA (Race finished behind SC)2
243Safety Car (202) 2019 Spanish Grand PrixAccident46525
244Safety Car (203) 2019 Monaco Grand PrixDebris from accident11142
245Safety Car (204) 2019 British Grand PrixAccident20232
246Safety Car (205) 2019 German Grand PrixAccident340
247Accident29333
248Accident41453
249Accident57591
250Safety Car (206) 2019 Belgian Grand PrixAccident142
251Safety Car (207) 2019 Singapore Grand PrixDebris from accident36403
252Stranded car44472
253Accident50510
254Safety Car (208) 2019 Russian Grand PrixAccident131
255Accident29322
256Safety Car (209) 2019 Brazilian Grand PrixStranded car54594
257Accident66692
258Safety Car (210) 2020 Austrian Grand PrixStranded car26303
259Stranded car51542
260Stranded car55604
261Safety Car (211) 2020 Styrian Grand PrixDebris from accident131
262Safety Car (212) 2020 British Grand PrixAccident252
263Accident13184
264Safety Car (213) 2020 Belgian Grand PrixTwo accidents11142
265Safety Car (214) 2020 Italian Grand PrixStranded car20232
266Accident2528 (After red flag)2
267Safety Car (215) 2020 Tuscan Grand PrixAccident164
268Accident79 (After red flag)1
269Accident4446 (After red flag)1
270Safety Car (216) 2020 Russian Grand PrixTwo accidents153
271Safety Car (217) 2020 Eifel Grand PrixStranded car45493
272Safety Car (218) 2020 Emilia-Romagna Grand PrixAccident51575
273Safety Car (219) 2020 Bahrain Grand PrixAccident384
274Stranded car55NA (Race finished behind SC)2
275Safety Car (220) 2020 Sakhir Grand PrixAccident164
276Accident62685
277Safety Car (221) 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixStranded car11131
278Safety Car (222) 2021 Bahrain Grand PrixAccident131
279Safety Car (223) 2021 Emilia-Romagna Grand PrixAccident263
280Safety Car (224) 2021 Emilia-Romagna Grand PrixAccident3234 (After red flag)1
281Safety Car (225) 2021 Portuguese Grand PrixAccident263
282Safety Car (226) 2021 Spanish Grand PrixStranded car8101
283Safety Car (227) 2021 Azerbaijan Grand PrixAccident31353
284Accident4749 (After red flag)1
285Safety Car (228) 2021 Austrian Grand PrixStranded car131
286Safety Car (229) 2021 British Grand PrixAccident14 (After red flag)2
287Safety Car (230) 2021 Hungarian Grand PrixAccident13 (After red flag)1
288Safety Car (231) 2021 Belgian Grand PrixRain1 (Race started behind SC)NA (Red flag)2
289Safety Car (232) 2021 Italian Grand PrixAccident26303
290Safety Car (233) 2021 Mexico City Grand PrixAccident142
291Safety Car (234) 2021 São Paulo Grand PrixDebris692
292Safety Car (235) 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand PrixAccident1014 (After red flag)3
293Safety Car (236) 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixAccident53573
294Safety Car (237) 2022 Bahrain Grand PrixStranded Car46503
295Safety Car (238) 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand PrixAccident16203
296Safety Car (239) 2022 Australian Grand PrixBeached car (Sainz)362
297Accident (Vettel)23262
298Safety Car (240) 2022 Emilia Romagna SprintAccident (Zhou)142
299Safety Car (241) 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand PrixAccident (Sainz)142
300Safety Car (242) 2022 Miami Grand PrixAccident42463
301Safety Car (243) 2022 Monaco Grand PrixHeavy rain resulting in safety car rolling start132
302Race restarted after red flag behind a safety car rolling start331
303Crash involving Mick Schumacher28303
304Rolling start after second red flag following clean up for Mick Schumacher's crash30321
305Safety Car (244) 2022 São Paulo Grand PrixAccident (Ricciardo and Magnussen)165

List of virtual safety car deployments in Formula One races[]

Correct as of the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix

Grand PrixCauseDeployed (lap)Ended (lap)Number of full laps
1Safety Car (245) 2015 Monaco Grand PrixAccident6464 (turned into a full SC)0
2Safety Car (246) 2015 British Grand PrixStranded car34350
3Safety Car (247) 2015 Hungarian Grand PrixAccident4344 (turned into a full SC)0
4Safety Car (248) 2015 Belgian Grand PrixStranded car21220
5Safety Car (249) 2015 Singapore Grand PrixAccident1315 (turned into a full SC)1
6Safety Car (250) 2015 United States Grand PrixDebris from accident582
7Accident/Stranded car38390
8Safety Car (251) 2016 Monaco Grand PrixAccident8101
9Accident35371
10Debris from accident50510
11Debris68690
12Safety Car (252) 2016 Canadian Grand PrixStranded car11110
13Safety Car (253) 2016 British Grand PrixAccident780
14Safety Car (254) 2016 Belgian Grand PrixAccident230
15Safety Car (255) 2016 United States Grand PrixStranded car31331
16Safety Car (256) 2017 Chinese Grand PrixAccident230
17Safety Car (257) 2017 Spanish Grand PrixAccident34372
18Safety Car (258) 2017 Mexican Grand PrixStranded car32341
19Safety Car (259) 2018 Australian Grand PrixStranded car2628 (turned into a full SC)1
20Safety Car (260) 2018 Spanish Grand PrixStranded car41431
21Safety Car (261) 2018 Monaco Grand PrixAccident72/73741
22Safety Car (262) 2018 French Grand PrixStranded car51/52531
23Safety Car (263) 2018 Austrian Grand PrixStranded car15160
24Safety Car (264) 2018 Hungarian Grand PrixStranded car670
25Stranded car51520
26Safety Car (265) 2018 Japanese Grand PrixStranded car41420
27Safety Car (266) 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixStranded car780
28Safety Car (267) 2019 Azerbaijan Grand PrixStranded car40410
29Safety Car (268) 2019 French Grand PrixBollard rolled onto the track50510
30Safety Car (269) 2019 German Grand PrixStranded car15160
31Stranded car28280
32Safety Car (270) 2019 Italian Grand PrixStranded car29290
33Stranded car31310
34Safety Car (271) 2019 Russian Grand PrixStranded car28290
35Safety Car (272) 2019 Mexican Grand PrixDebris from accident131
36Safety Car (273) 2020 Eifel Grand PrixStranded car16170
37Safety Car (274) 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand PrixStranded car30310
38Safety Car (275) 2020 Sakhir Grand PrixStranded car55560
39Debris from accident6262 (turned into a full SC)0
40Safety Car (276) 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixStranded car1011 (turned into a full SC)0
41Safety Car (277) 2021 São Paulo Grand PrixDebris from accident12141
42Debris from car30310
43Safety Car (278) 2021 Qatar Grand PrixStranded car55571
44Safety Car (279) 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand PrixDebris from accident23240
45Debris from accident28280
46Debris from car29332
47Debris from car36360
48Safety Car (280) 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixStranded car36381
49Safety Car (281) 2022 Bahrain Grand PrixCar on fire46460 (turned into a full SC)
50Safety Car (282) 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand PrixMultiple stranded cars due to mechanical failure38412
51Safety Car (283) 2022 Australian Grand PrixStranded car330 (turned into a full SC)
52Stranded car due to mechanical failure (Verstappen)39400
53Safety Car (284) 2022 Miami Grand PrixAccident41420 (turned into a full SC)
54Safety Car (285) 2022 Monaco Grand PrixAccident involving Mick Schumacher27281 (turn into a full SC)
55Safety Car (286) 2022 São Paulo Grand PrixStranded car due to mechanical failure (Norris)52530 (turned in a full SC)

See also[]

Notes[]

External Links[]

v·d·eNominate this page for Featured Article
Safety Car (2024)

FAQs

What is the safety car strategy? ›

It circulates at a specific speed so that marshals can come out safely to retrieve broken cars or pick debris off the track. The slower speed of the safety car bunches up the drivers behind the safety car, and no cars are allowed to overtake unless they are told to do so.

How fast does the safety car go in Formula 1? ›

Two car models share the heavy task of taming the race: a 730 horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT and, since 2022, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Both of these cars can go very fast. "Up to 325 km/h!," said Mayländer with a sparkle in his eye. "I'm still a driver at heart, but my role is not to set the fastest time.

What does "safety car window open" mean? ›

"If the team decides the situation in the race offers a good opportunity for a pit stop under a Safety Car, the driver is told 'You are in your Safety Car window'. "That way the driver knows he can come in without needing further confirmation from the team.

Why is there a safety car in Formula 1? ›

By following the safety car, the competitors' tyres remain as close as possible to operating temperature while their engines do not overheat. A safety car is also preferred over stopping the race (red flag) and restarting as the latter takes longer.

Can you pit during safety car? ›

During a safety car period, drivers can enter the pit lane at any time, but when exiting they must wait until the pit exit light is green.

What happens if you overtake the safety car? ›

Overtaking or overlapping of any other competing car during a Safety Car intervention is forbidden. Overtaking of a Safety Car is forbidden unless the particular competitor concerned is signalled to overtake the Safety Car by the observer in the Safety Car.

Do laps count during safety car? ›

These laps count towards the race distance, given the limited fuel loads carried by the cars. During a race, the FIA sporting regulations dicate: "The safety car may be brought into operation to neutralise a sprint session or a race upon the order of the clerk of the course.

Can lapped cars overtake a safety car? ›

The cars between the Safety Car and the leader firstly need to be let through. Lapped cars need to be allowed to overtake the Safety Car. The Safety Car returns to the pits at the end of the following lap.

How much does the F1 safety car driver get paid? ›

Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $43,702 (138.3%) and $101,890 (322.5%) more than the average F1 Safety Car Driver salary of $31,588. If you're qualified, getting hired for one of these related F1 Safety Car Driver jobs may help you make more money than that of the average F1 Safety Car Driver position.

Why do F1 drivers zigzag? ›

F1 drivers use zig-zag maneuvers to meticulously prepare their cars for the challenges ahead. This includes warming up their tires, clearing debris, and shedding excess fuel weight. These seemingly simple actions are part of a complex strategy that can determine the outcome of a race.

What is the difference between safety car and virtual safety car in F1? ›

What is a virtual safety car in F1? The virtual safety car (VSC) 1 does not bring a physical car onto the track and won't bunch the field of cars together like the regular safety car – it's instead a set time that the drivers must stick to.

What is the safety car in Formula 1 2024? ›

The Vantage Safety Car and DBX707 Medical Car will make their 2024 debut at this weekend's FORMULA 1® STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX. As in previous years, the cars will be painted in the same Aston Martin Racing Green colours as the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team cars. Safety has never looked so thrilling.

Has the safety car ever crashed in F1? ›

No. The safety car was only fully introduced in 1993, although the earliest use was in 1973 at the Canadian GP with some trials in 1992. The safety car has never “crashed” during a race they is footage floating around of it spinning during Thursday or Friday track inspections.

Can you buy an F1 safety car? ›

You may have noticed that Aston Martin have introduced a rather handsome looking safety car for the 2021 F1 season. If you remove the orange lights on the roof and various stickers, what lies beneath is the new Vantage F1 Edition.

How much does Logan Sargeant get paid? ›

Approximately, F1 drivers make an estimated $13.4 million per year excluding bonuses and sponsors. Max Verstappen makes the most with $55 million per year, while Logan Sargeant and Yuki Tsunoda make the least with $1 million per year.

What is the car strategy? ›

Use the CAR (Comment, Ask, Respond) strategy. for learning to help your child's literacy development.

What is a safety strategy? ›

What Does Safety Strategy Mean? A safety strategy is a high-level plan that is designed to help workers meet one or more workplace safety goals. They may be developed by individual workplaces, whole companies, or governments.

What is the virtual safety car strategy? ›

If an accident occurred but the track was not deemed potentially dangerous for marshals, then the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) is activated. The VSC will keep every car driving safely at the speed limit until the track is back in normal racing conditions. Then, the VSC is deactivated and the drivers can resume the race.

What is the F1 safety car model? ›

The 2024 F1 Safety Car Models: Aston Martin Vantage

Drenched in a captivating shade of green, this remarkable vehicle stands as a testament to Aston Martin's commitment to merging aesthetics with advanced engineering. The Vantage encapsulates power, agility, and safety seamlessly.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 5645

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.