Chassis and safety

27 changes, oldest first.

1955 changed

Races cancelled after the Le Mans disaster

After the Le Mans crash that killed more than 80 spectators, the French, German, Swiss and Spanish Grands Prix were cancelled and motor racing was banned in Switzerland. Source

1961 introduced

Oil catch tanks, dual braking circuits and roll bars required

Cars had to carry a roll-over bar above the driver's head, a dual-circuit braking system and an oil catch tank. Source

1962 introduced

Monocoque chassis

The Lotus 25 introduced the stressed-skin monocoque, which became the standard construction. Source

1963 introduced

Fuel tanks must be rubber bag tanks; cockpit and roll bar dimensions defined

Safety fuel cells and minimum cockpit opening sizes entered the rules. Source

1968 introduced

Electrical cut-off switch, on-board fire extinguisher, twin fire-resistant fuel cells

After Jim Clark's death and other accidents, cockpit safety equipment became compulsory. Source

1969 introduced

Four-wheel drive experiments allowed; six-point harnesses recommended

Lotus, Matra, McLaren and Cosworth built four-wheel-drive cars in 1969; none succeeded. Source

1970 introduced

Bag fuel tanks mandatory

Rubber bag fuel tanks became compulsory, and the minimum weight rose to 530 kg. Source

1973 introduced

Deformable side structures and safety fuel tanks

Crushable structures around the fuel tanks became compulsory from the Spanish Grand Prix, along with a 575 kg minimum weight. Source

1975 introduced

Fire-resistant overalls and self-sealing fuel couplings

Driver clothing and fuel systems were upgraded after several fire accidents. Source

1976 introduced

Six-wheeled cars allowed

Tyrrell's P34 with four small front wheels raced from the Spanish Grand Prix; six-wheelers were later banned for 1983. Source

1978 introduced

Permanent medical car and FIA doctor at every race

Professor Sid Watkins became the permanent race doctor, with a medical car following the first lap. Source

1981 introduced

Survival cell around the driver

A defined survival cell extending ahead of the driver's feet became compulsory; carbon-fibre monocoques appeared (McLaren MP4/1). Source

1985 introduced

Frontal crash test

Chassis had to pass a static frontal impact test for the first time. Source

1988 introduced

Driver's feet behind the front axle line

The pedal box had to sit behind the front wheel centre line for foot protection. Source

1991 introduced

Side impact test and larger cockpit opening

A static side-impact test joined the frontal test, with fuel tanks confined to the space between driver and engine. Source

1992 introduced

Active suspension era

Williams' FW14B with computer-controlled suspension dominated; traction control and semi-automatic gearboxes became widespread. Source

1992 introduced

Rear crash test and cockpit padding

A rear-impact test was added and cockpit head padding required. Source

1994 banned

Electronic driver aids banned

Active suspension, traction control, anti-lock brakes, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes were outlawed. Source

1996 introduced

Raised cockpit sides for head protection

Higher, padded cockpit sides became compulsory. Source

1997 introduced

Accident data recorders

Every car carried an FIA accident data recorder. Source

2000 introduced

Wheel tethers strengthened; HANS device tested

Tethers were strengthened after wheels came off in 1999–2000 crashes; the HANS head-and-neck support was mandatory from 2003. Source

2001 introduced

Traction control allowed again

Because policing software bans proved impossible, traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes were legalised from the Spanish Grand Prix. Source

2003 introduced

HANS device mandatory

The head-and-neck support became compulsory for all drivers. Source

2008 banned

Traction control and other driver aids banned via a standard ECU

A common electronic control unit ended traction control, engine braking control and launch control; gearboxes had to last four races. Source

2018 introduced

Halo cockpit protection mandatory

The titanium halo became compulsory on every car; shark fins and T-wings were banned; three power units per season. Source

2025 changed

Minimum driver weight 82 kg; driver cooling system

The driver-plus-seat minimum rose from 80 to 82 kg, and a driver cooling system was specified for hot races. Source

2026 changed

Smaller, lighter cars

Wheelbase cut to 3,400 mm, width to 1,900 mm, minimum weight reduced by around 30 kg, and narrower tyres. Source