How does the F1 safety car work?
FORMULA ONE safety cars are a regular occurrence during races for crashes and incidents.
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 hazards on the track.
Since they were first used in 1973, safety cars have been a great way for manufacturers to get their motors onto TV screens.
But they also play a key role in keeping drivers safe in a very dangerous sport.
Formula One 2022
Everything you need to know about F1 this season
F1 2022 calendar: Race schedule, tracks and results
F1 driver line-up 2023: Who is confirmed so far?
How does F1 point scoring work?
Who is McLaren's 2023 driver Oscar Piastri?
What is the halo and how does it work?
How does the F1 safety car work?
Who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet?
Who has Lewis Hamilton dated?
F1 driver salaries: Who tops the list?
Who is Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend Charlotte Sine?
Who is George Russell’s girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt?
Why do F1 drivers zig-zag on track?
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 this time the safety car steers off the track and the drivers can get back to racing.
Most read in Motorsport
In the 2021 Formula One season, it was 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.
Which car manufacturer produces the F1 safety car?
The Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series are used as safety cars.
They alternate as to which race they will be the designated vehicle for.
Safety car rule changes after 2021
F1 changed the rules regarding the safety car after the controversial restart at the final race of 2021 in Abu Dhabi.
Only some lapped cars were allowed to overtake the safety car and not others which allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton.
It meant the Red Bull driver took the title for the first time in his career.
The rule regarding lapped cars has now been changed and the safety car must let all of them pass.
Had the rule existed last year then Hamilton would have become the 2021 world champion.