The cars themselves have a strong chassis structure and a halo feature around the cockpit.įrom gentlemen drivers to world-class athletes Drivers all wear flame-resistant clothing and boots, full-face, carbon-fiber helmets that incorporate a head and neck support called the HANS device, and are strapped into the car by a six-point racing harness. There is also a dedicated Formula 1 medical team that travels to each race. Today, all the circuits on the Formula 1 calendar are equipped with hospital-grade medical facilities and spacious run-off areas, wherever possible. This dedication to safety has seen the number of deaths reduce each decade.

Since then the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has put safety at the very top of their priorities. Helmets were not compulsory, and the cars had no seat belts. In 1950, there were no safety measures in place, nor any medical presence, Silverstone’s track was lined with hay bales and flower-topped oil drums, and drivers wore whatever they fancied – from overalls to shirt sleeves and trousers. Fact! Over the last 70 years, a total of 52 drivers have been killed.

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