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The Canadian Grand Prix celebrated the 50th anniversary of the safety car, which was first introduced at this same race in 1973 and has since become an indispensable tool.
The safety car has become the invisible guardian of Formula 1, stepping in when rain, debris, or accidents threaten the smooth running of a Grand Prix. Its history began in 1973, and in fifty years, it has gone from being an improvised solution to an indispensable high-tech element of the sport.
It made its first appearance at the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix, on the wet and hilly Mosport circuit. After the collision between François Cevert and Jody Scheckter at Clayton Corner, a Porsche 914, already a veteran of American racing, was deployed as a safety car, marking its debut in F1. In the absence of GPS or timing equipment, officials mistakenly placed the car ahead of Howden Ganley, who was only eighth, while the real leaders took the lead in the race, only to finish at the back of the pack. The confusion culminated in four hours of deliberation that ultimately awarded the victory to Peter Revson, and this fiasco convinced the FIA to abandon the safety car for the next two decades.
When the concept made its comeback in 1993, the FIA made its use mandatory. The first modern use was at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where a sudden storm forced the race to be run under the control of the safety car. In those early years, each race promoter provided its own vehicle, resulting in eclectic choices such as an Opel Vectra in 1994 and a Renault Clio Williams in 1996, cars that struggled to keep F1 tires within the optimal temperature range. A turning point came in 1997 when Mercedes became the official supplier, bringing a high-performance sedan specially designed for the starting grid. Since 2021, Aston Martin has shared this role, alternating between the red Mercedes-AMG GT-R and the green Vantage. Both cars are equipped with external LED flashing lights, roof-mounted cameras, and FIA-approved racing seats with six-point harnesses, transforming ordinary road cars into specialized safety platforms. At the wheel is a professional driver, a role held since 2000 by German racer Bernd Maylander. Maylander is the only driver authorized to drive the safety car on all circuits, accompanied by a co-driver who remains in constant contact with race control. Together, they ensure that the safety car can be deployed at any time, often conducting a test session on Thursdays alongside the medical car.
From its chaotic beginnings to its current high-tech incarnation, the safety car has evolved through trial, error, and innovation. Today, it is an essential part of Formula 1's safety architecture, discreetly controlling the sport's fastest cars when the track becomes dangerous.
