Here’s a list of every time that the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car has made an appearance during the 2025 Formula 1 season.
2025 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, safety car, LAP 1
The first Safety Car period of the year occurred on Lap 1 of the season-opening 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Taking place in wet conditions, Jack Doohan crashed out on the opening lap. He was joined on the sidelines by Carlos Sainz, who crashed out later around the lap at the final corner. The Safety Car period ended at the start of Lap 8.
2025 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, safety car, LAP 34
The second Safety Car period of the afternoon came as a result of Fernando Alonso crashing out on Lap 34. The Safety Car prompted a flurry of pit stops as drivers switched from intermediate to slick tyres. The race resumed at the start of Lap 42.
2025 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, safety car, LAP 47
The rain returned in the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix and led to crashes for both Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto, which brought out the Safety Car for the third time. The Safety Car period began on Lap 47 and ended at the start of Lap 52.
2025 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX, safety car, LAP 32
The Safety Car made an appearance at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix due to a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Carlos Sainz which left debris scattered on the circuit. The Safety Car was out for four laps in total while the debris was cleared away, with racing resuming at the start of Lap 36.
2025 SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX, safety car, LAP 1
The Safety Car was called out on the opening lap of the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to a collision between Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda. Gasly’s Alpine was left stranded after hitting the barriers, while Tsunoda was able to make it back to the pit lane before his Red Bull was pushed into the garage with damage.
2025 MIAMI SPRINT, safety car, LAP 1
The first two laps of the Sprint race at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix were completed behind the Safety Car due to poor weather conditions. Racing started properly with a standing start at the beginning of Lap 3 of the shortened race.
2025 MIAMI SPRINT, safety car, LAP 15
A crash for Fernando Alonso, after being hit by Liam Lawson, brought out the Safety Car towards the end of the Sprint race at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. The Safety Car was called out on Lap 15 and it did not return to the pit lane before the end of the race.
2025 MIAMI GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 2
A first lap collision between Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan saw the latter come to a stop on track after picking up a puncture as the leading drivers started the second lap of the race. The incident necessitated a Virtual Safety Car period – the first of the 2025 season. Lawson also later retired as a result of the damage sustained. Racing resumed on Lap 3.
2025 MIAMI GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 29
Ollie Bearman recorded the first retirement of his Formula 1 career at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Engine issues saw him come to a stop on Lap 28 and the second VSC period of the afternoon was called on Lap 29.
2025 MIAMI GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 33
The VSC made its third appearance of the afternoon on Lap 33 of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix when Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto came to a stop, also with power unit issues. Racing resumed just one lap later.
2025 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 29
The first interruption in the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix came as a result of Esteban Ocon pulling up a the side of the track, between Turns 7 and 8. The Virtual Safety Car was called while marshals dealt with the stopped Haas.
2025 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 46
On Lap 46, Kimi Antonelli suffered a similar fate to Esteban Ocon, when his car came to a stop in the same area of track. With Ocon’s car already behind the barrier, the full Safety Car was called this time as there was no room in the same spot for the additional Mercedes and a recovery vehicle was required to move Antonelli’s car. The Safety Car stayed out for eight laps in total, with racing resuming at the start of Lap 54.
2025 MONACO GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 2
The Virtual Safety Car was called on the second lap of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix after Gabriel Bortoleto hit the barriers at Portier while battling with Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap. Bortoleto was able to reverse out of the barrier, but the VSC was called while marshals cleared debris from the incident.
2025 SPANISH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 55
A mechanical failure for Kimi Antonelli in the closing stages of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix saw his Mercedes beached in the gravel at Turn 10. The Safety Car was called out while the car was cleared away, with racing resuming at the start of Lap 61.
2025 CANDIAN GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 67
In the final laps of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, when battling over fourth place, Lando Norris made contact with the rear of team-mate Oscar Piastri. The incident saw Norris collide with the pit wall and end his race. The cars were directed through the pit lane whilst Norris’ car was cleared away. The Safety Car stayed out until the end of the race, making it the first Grand Prix since the 2023 Australian Grand Prix to end under Safety Car conditions.
2025 austrian GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 1
A lock up at Turn 3 on the opening lap of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix for Kimi Antonelli sent him spearing into Max Verstappen, notably ending a 31-race finishing streak for the Red Bull driver and contributing to the end of a 77-race scoring streak for the team. The Safety Car was deployed as a result of the incident, remaining out until the start of Lap 4.
2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, FORMATION LAP
Following heavy rain earlier in the day, the formation lap for the 2025 British Grand Prix took place behind the Safety Car. The damp track was drying and some drivers opted to pit for slick tyres at the end of the formation lap.
2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 2
Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson collided at The Loop on the opening lap of the race. The collision ended Lawson’s day and the Virtual Safety Car was called while the Racing Bulls car was cleared away. This VSC period ended on Lap 4.
2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 6
The VSC was called again on the sixth lap of the 2025 British Grand Prix, this time as a result of Gabriel Bortoleto spinning off at Farm. The Sauber driver tried to re-join the race but damage to the rear of the car meant that he was unable to do so. The race resumed on Lap 7.
2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 14
Heavy rain saw the Safety Car called out on Lap 14 of the 2025 British Grand Prix. It was out until the end of Lap 17.
2025 BRITISH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 17
No sooner had the Safety Car returned to the pit lane was it required again. This time, in the spray, Isack Hadjar crashed into the back of the unsighted Kimi Antonelli. Hadjar span into the barriers and the Safety Car was called out once more, this time lasting until Lap 21. The end of this Safety Car period was decisive in the outcome of the race. Race leader Oscar Piastri was handed a ten-second penalty for erratically braking at the Safety Car restart.
2025 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, FORMATION LAP
Due to the weather conditions, the formation lap for the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix took place behind the Safety Car. As a result of limited visibility the race was red-flagged before it had properly begun and the drivers returned to the pit lane.
2025 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 1
After an 80-minute delay, the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix resumed under Safety Car conditions due to the weather. The Safety Car returned to the pit lane at the end of Lap 4 and the race began with a rolling start on Lap 5. It was the first race since the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix to begin with a rolling start.
2025 DUTCH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 23
The first of three full Safety Car periods in the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix occurred on the 23rd lap, when Lewis Hamilton crashed out after getting wide at Turn 3. The Safety Car period lasted four laps. Racing resumed at the start of Lap 27.
2025 DUTCH GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 31
There was a Virtual Safety Car period on Lap 31 of the Dutch Grand Prix following earlier contact between Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson. The VSC was called while debris was cleared away.
2025 DUTCH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 53
Just after pitting, Charles Leclerc made contact with Kimi Antonelli with the resulting collision bringing an early end to Leclerc’s afternoon. The Safety Car was out for five laps, with racing resuming on Lap 57.
2025 DUTCH GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 65
Lando Norris’ Dutch Grand Prix came to an unfortunate end in the closing stages when he retired with engine troubles. He came to a stop with smoke pouring from his car on Lap 65. The incident was cleared in four laps, with racing resuming for the final four laps of the race at the start of Lap 69.
2025 azerbaijan GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 1
Oscar Piastri brought out the only Safety Car in the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when he uncharacteristically crashed out on the opening lap after locking up. The Safety Car period ended at the start of Lap 5.
2025 UNITED STATES SPRINT, SAFETY CAR, LAP 1
There was chaos at Turn 1 in the Sprint at the 2025 United States Grand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg and Oscar Piastri collided, which sent the McLaren driver spearing into McLaren team-mate Lando Norris. The two McLarens were out of the race, along with Fernando Alonso, who was caught up in the melee. The Safety Car was out for five laps.
2025 UNITED STATES SPRINT, SAFETY CAR, LAP 16
A collision between Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon at Turn 1 on Lap 16 brought about the second Safety Car period of the Sprint. The Safety Car remained out until the end of the race.
2025 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 7
After making contact with Kimi Antonelli, Carlos Sainz came to a stop before the pit entry and prompted the only caution period in the 2025 United States Grand Prix. The VSC period lasted for around two laps.
2025 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 70
Carlos Sainz stopped at the side of the track on the penultimate lap of the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, causing a Virtual Safety Car period. Although the car was quickly cleared away, the VSC remained out for around an entire lap due to the possibility of the car setting alight. Racing resumed with half a lap to go.
2025 SAO PAULO SPRINT, LAP 6
Oscar Piastri crashed out of the Sprint at the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix on the sixth lap. He wasn’t the only one caught out by the conditions, with Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto also crashing in the same area of track. While the Safety Car was initially called, the red flag was later shown.
2025 SAO PAULO SPRINT, LAP 8
As the drivers emerged from the pit lane to take a rolling start, the race was under Safety Car conditions for the entirety of Lap 8. The green flag was shown and racing resumed at the start of Lap 9.
2025 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX, LAP 2
The Safety car was called out on the second lap of the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix following contact between Gabriel Bortoleto and Lance Stroll, which put the Brazilian driver out of the race on his debut home appearance.
2025 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 7
Following contact between Oscar Piastri, Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc on the previous lap, the Virtual Safety Car was called on Lap 7 of the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix to clear the stricken Ferrari.
2025 las vegas GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 2
The VSC came out near the end of Lap 2 of the 2025 Las Vegas after Liam Lawson sustained damage to his car. Racing resumed just after the start of Lap 4.
2025 las vegas GRAND PRIX, VSC, LAP 16
Debris from Alex Albon’s Williams left on the circuit led to the Virtual Safety Car being called for the second time in the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Lap 16.
2025 QATAR GRAND PRIX, SAFETY CAR, LAP 7
Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly made contact on the seventh lap of the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. Gasly picked up a puncture, while Hulkenberg stopped trackside leading to the deployment of the Safety Car. Racing resumed at the start of Lap 11.
Header image: © Andrew Balfour