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.
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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.
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.