How does the F1 safety car work?

FORMULA ONE safety cars are a regular fixture on the Grand Prix scene.

The sporty-looking motors are used in races and have flashing lights on the top in a bid to keep drivers out of danger if there are any crashes.

Drivers are not allowed to overtake the safety car while technicians clear any crashed car and debris off the track

Since they were first used in 1973, the safety cars have been a great way for manufacturers to get their fine motors on to TV screens.

But they also play a key role in keeping drivers safe in a very dangerous sport.

What is the F1 safety car?

The safety car’s job is to limit the speed of cars on the race track so that workers can come out and pick up any debris or crashed cars.

This means the cars can bunch up behind the safety car.

Drivers are not allowed to overtake the safety car while it is on the track until indicated to do so.

At which time the safety car steers off the track and the drivers can get back to racing.

In the 2021 Formula One season, it has been used 14 times.

But the safety car provided a controversial finish to the season after a crash allowed Max Verstappen to put on a new set of tyres with one lap of racing left and overtake Lewis Hamilton.