Formula One safety standards have improved dramatically since the first World Championship Grand Prix in 1950 which had no medical or safety measures. Over the decades numerous regulations have been introduced to improve cockpit protection, crash testing standards, track safety barriers, and driver equipment. By the 2010s, rules addressed areas like reinforcing helmets, limiting downforce to reduce speeds, and recruiting ex-drivers to assist stewards in reviewing incidents. Safety remains an ongoing focus to keep drivers safe in the high-speed sport.

1. Formula One
Safety in the 21st Century
Safety standards have come a long way since the first World
Championship Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950, where there was no
medical back-up or safety measures in case of an accident.
2000
 Impact speed for the mandatory crash test is raised to 14 m/sec.
 Carbon fibre walls of cockpit must be at least 3.5 mm thick.
 A 2.5 mm layer of Kevlar fibre inside the cockpit walls to resist penetration.
 The roll-over bar above the driver’s head is raised 70 mm.
 The roll-over bar must be able to withstand a lateral force of 2.4 tons.

2. 2001
 Driver must allow a vehicle behind him to pass when a blue flag is shown for the
third time or receive a ten-second stop-and-go penalty.
 Stricter safety standards to better protect marshals.
 Headrests must be mounted according to FIA standards.
 Cockpit walls at driver’s head level must rise to the rear at a slope of at least 16°.
 The speed during lateral impact tests is increased to ten m/sec.
2002
 Stop-and-go time penalties can be imposed on drivers who trigger false starts, cause
an accident/collision, force a driver off the track, ignore a blue flag three times, or
intentionally impede a driver trying to overtake.
 Time penalties can be imposed for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane.
 Time penalties can be imposed for running over chicanes if an advantage in track
position is gained.
 New lateral crash test for rear of car - a force of 40kN is exerted for 30 seconds on a
defined area and there can be no visible deformation.
 The rear lights are increased in size to 6x6 cm.
2003
 Numerous circuits reconstructed prior to season to improve safety.
 Silverstone: Stowe corner’s run-off area changed to asphalt.
 Nurburgring: Chicane before final corner revised.
 Magny-Cours: Pit exit lane made safer so cars can rejoin circuit at racing speed.
 Budapest: Size of run-off zones and safety walls in first corner increased.
 Suzuka: Larger run-off zones and new emergency access routes.
 HANS system becomes mandatory for all drivers.
2004
 Monte Carlo given permanent pit lane with garages for all teams.
 New tracks in Bahrain and Shanghai set new standards for safety.
 FIA introduces new safety standard setting higher requirements for development of
driver helmets.
2005
 Protective padding inside of cockpit is thickened from to 100 mm.

3.  Wheel tethers must be able to withstand a minimum 6 ton load.
 All front wings, barge boards and small aerodynamic parts must get an additional
outer- coating of Kevlar, or similar material to prevent sharp carbon fibre splinters
on the track after accidents.
2006
 Impact speed for rear crash test is increased to 15 m/sec.
2007
 If the safety car is deployed, the pit lane is closed and does not reopen until entire
field has formed up behind the safety car.
 Cars are fitted with LEDs that transmit flag signals from marshals into the cockpit.
 Spa returns to the calendar after a year’s break for track safety reconstruction work.
 Speed limit in the pit lane is reduced to 80 km/h.
 During a safety car phase, any lapped cars positioned between the cars running on
the lead lap may overtake them and the safety car, to take up position at the back of
the field.
2009
 FIA forms the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, with a management
committee comprising Michael Schumacher as Chairman, Max Mosley, Nick Craw,
Jean Todt and Norbert Haug - the fund will be utilized for a safety programme for
young drivers, a training programme for officials and a programme for circuit safety.
 The appointment of race stewards is changed and they are given an improved video
analysis system.
 The FIA will publish all decisions after incidents online with video evidence provided
alongside rulings when required.
2010
 Former Formula One drivers are recruited to assist stewards in decision making
relating to race incidents.
 A permanent panel of three FIA stewards joined by an additional local steward will
attend every Grand Prix.
2011
 The double diffusers (2009) and the F-ducts (2010) are prohibited to reduce car
speed and facilitate overtaking, leading to a significant reduction in downforce.

4.  The FIA prescribes minimum dimensions for roll-over bars to preclude the
development of extremely slim components.
 Wheels must be fastened to the uprights by two tethers to prevent stray tyres on the
track after an accident.
 Outside mirrors must now be attached to the cockpit in a strictly prescribed area to
improve drivers’ rear view visbility.
 New helmets feature the addition of a Zylon strip across the top of the visor to
reinforce the weakest point.
Click here to read more about the history of Formula One safety.