Race weekends · Updated for 2026
F1 Safety Car restarts explained
How the leader controls the field after the Safety Car turns off its lights.
Quick answer
When the Safety Car is due in, its lights go out and the race leader controls the pace subject to the regulations. Overtaking remains restricted until the prescribed control point is reached.
The signal
Race control announces that the Safety Car will come in and its roof lights are extinguished. The leader then becomes responsible for bringing the field back to racing speed.
The restart game
The leader tries to accelerate where rivals cannot use the slipstream effectively. Cars behind must maintain control and cannot use erratic moves that endanger the queue.
When overtaking resumes
The sporting regulations define the line or point after which racing passes are permitted. Television commentary is informative, but the official signal controls.