Virtual Safety Car (VSC)

The Virtual Safety Car (VSC) is a system introduced in 2015 that requires all Formula 1 drivers to maintain a minimum lap time (approximately 40% slower than normal racing pace) when there is an incident on track that requires caution but not a full Safety Car deployment. Unlike the Safety Car, the VSC does not require cars to queue up behind a physical car — drivers simply maintain the required pace while marshals deal with the incident. The VSC is less disruptive to the race than the Safety Car, as it does not bunch up the field or create the same strategic opportunities. However, it still provides some strategic opportunities — teams can pit during a VSC period with a smaller time loss than during normal racing.

The VSC was introduced in 2015 following the death of Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, where he collided with a recovery vehicle under yellow flags. The VSC was designed to provide better protection for marshals and recovery vehicles.