The FIA clarifies the speed of the Safety Car in F1

After several criticisms emanating in particular from drivers regarding the pace displayed by the various safety cars in Grand Prix, the FIA recalled some fundamentals, specifying that the intrinsic value of these cars was not in question.

Published on 14/04/2022 à 11:34

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The FIA clarifies the speed of the Safety Car in F1

The FIA has recalled some basic rules regarding the pace of the safety cars.

There is obviously not a race weekend without hearing one of the leaders drop this little phrase into his radio: “The safety car is too slow!” ». Asked about the question at a press conference after the race and when he had to restart the Australian Grand Prix twice after the intervention of the safety carAston Martin, Charles Leclerc preferred not to add any: “Honestly, it always feels too slow in the car because our Formula 1 have so much grip, explained the Monegasque. It's very difficult to keep the tires warm, especially on the compound we were on in Melbourne, the Hards. I wanted to complain about the pace of the safety car, but I saw how much it was sliding all over the corners and I thought there was no point in putting more pressure.”

A sentence which was followed by a rather tasty exchange between Leclerc and his runner-up in the championship George Russell, surely at the origin of the development of the FIA moreover. “We don't have this problem with the Safety Car of Mercedes AMG, said the young Briton, like a good soldier of the star brand, while Mercedes and Aston Martin share the races. More seriously, the Mercedes is five seconds faster per lap than the Aston Martin safety car, which is huge!” To which Leclerc replied: "In this case, let's put a Ferrari, it will be five seconds faster still! ».

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In order, presumably, to cut short any comparisons between the different brands, the FIA has provided of a press release this Thursday morning. “In view of the various comments concerning the pace of the Safety Car in Formula 1, the FIA would like to recall that the primary function of the safety car is obviously not pure and simple speed, but rather the safety of the drivers, marshals and officials”, also recalling that it was intended to “regroup the pack”, and therefore to slow it down, and to allow the track marshals to intervene by modulating its speed if necessary depending on the nature and scale of the incident.

“The pace of the safety car is generally dictated by the race direction, and is in no way prevented by the possible limitations of the different safety cars, which are by nature ultra-high-performance vehicles prepared by two of the greatest car manufacturers, and who are equipped to deal with any change in track conditions by an extremely experienced driver and co-driver”. It is also recalled that the consequence on the performance of Formula 1 cars is in this case largely secondary, since the consequences have an equal impact on all competitors. There you go, it’s Aston Martin and Mercedes who will be happy!