How Many F1 Drivers Have Died on Track?

As of October 2024, 32 Formula 1 drivers have died as a result of on-track incidents during official World Championship race weekends (in practice, qualifying or the race). Counting every motorsport-related incident while driving an F1 car—including testing and non‑championship events—the total is 52. Understanding which total applies depends on how “on track” and “F1 event” are defined.

Why the totals vary

Different reputable sources cite different numbers because they group incidents by slightly different criteria—whether an accident occurred during an official World Championship session, during testing or non‑championship events, or at the Indianapolis 500 when it counted for the World Championship (1950–1960). Another source of variation is whether a death is counted only if it occurred at the circuit or if it includes drivers who died later in hospital from injuries sustained on track.

The main ways of counting

The following list clarifies the most commonly used categories when discussing F1 driver fatalities.

• World Championship weekends only (practice/qualifying/race): 32 driver fatalities resulting from on-track incidents since 1950.
• All incidents in F1 machinery (any context): 52 fatalities, including testing and non‑championship events, as well as the Indianapolis 500 years when it was part of the World Championship.

These two figures are the benchmarks most frequently cited in historical and safety discussions. When people say “on track,” they typically mean incidents occurring during official sessions across a Grand Prix weekend, which aligns with the 32 figure.

The most recent cases linked to a Grand Prix weekend

While fatal accidents were tragically more common in the sport’s earlier decades, only a handful have occurred since the 1980s. The entries below highlight the most recent driver fatalities connected directly to Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends.

• Roland Ratzenberger — 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (Imola): Died following a crash during qualifying.
• Ayrton Senna — 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (Imola): Sustained fatal injuries during the race and was pronounced dead later in hospital.
• Jules Bianchi — 2014 Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka): Suffered severe head injuries during the race and died in July 2015.

Ratzenberger remains the last driver to be pronounced dead at a Grand Prix venue itself, while Bianchi is the most recent Formula 1 driver to die as a result of injuries from a World Championship race incident.

Context: safety progress and today’s risk

Since the tragedies of 1994, Formula 1’s governing bodies and teams have implemented sweeping safety reforms—from stronger survival cells, wheel tethers, and HANS devices to the 2018 introduction of the halo cockpit protection system—along with major updates to circuit design, runoff areas, medical response, and race control procedures. Although Jules Bianchi’s 2014 crash showed that risk can never be eliminated entirely, there have been no driver deaths at a Grand Prix venue since 1994.

Summary

In sum, 32 Formula 1 drivers have died due to on-track incidents during official World Championship race weekends, and 52 have died in total while driving F1 cars in any context. The difference stems from whether you count only World Championship sessions or include testing and non‑championship events. Safety has improved dramatically, with no driver pronounced dead at a Grand Prix venue since 1994 and the last fatality resulting from a race crash occurring in 2015 (Bianchi).

Why is number 17 banned in F1?

Number 17 is not banned but permanently retired in Formula 1 as a mark of respect for Jules Bianchi, a French driver who died in 2015 from injuries sustained in a crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Bianchi was using car number 17 when the accident occurred, and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) permanently retired the number from use in the championship in his memory.
 
Background

• Jules Bianchi’s accident: Opens in new tabIn October 2014, Jules Bianchi suffered a tragic accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, colliding with a recovery vehicle during heavy rain. 
• Fatal injuries: Opens in new tabHe sustained severe head injuries in the crash and passed away the following year. 
• Retirement of number 17: Opens in new tabAs a solemn tribute to the driver and to honor his memory, the FIA officially retired car number 17 in 2015. 

Significance

• Permanent reminder: The permanent retirement of number 17 serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport. 
• Legacy of safety improvements: Bianchi’s accident was a catalyst for significant safety advancements in Formula 1, including the mandatory halo cockpit protection system. 

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How many Formula 1 drivers died on track?

Fifty-two drivers have died from incidents that occurred at a FIA World Championship event or while driving a Formula One car at another event, with Cameron Earl being the first in 1952.

Is number 69 allowed in F1?

Yes, a Formula 1 driver can technically choose the number 69, as the rules allow any number between 2 and 99 for a driver’s permanent career number, with only the number 1 being reserved for the reigning World Champion. However, since the permanent number system was introduced in 2014, no driver has chosen the number 69, and it remains available for use, though it’s not a commonly selected number.
 
Here are the rules for F1 driver numbers:

• Number 1: Reserved for the reigning World Champion. 
• Other Numbers: Drivers can choose any number from 2 to 99 for their career, which is then permanently theirs. 
• Availability: Numbers are chosen based on availability, with no two drivers having the same permanent number. 
• Reserved Numbers: If a driver retires or leaves the sport, their number is reserved for two seasons to prevent others from taking it. 
• Unchosen Numbers: If a driver does not choose a number, one is assigned based on their team’s historical entry. 
• Number 17: This number is not used as a mark of respect for Jules Bianchi. 

Since there’s no rule banning number 69 and it’s within the allowed range, a driver could pick it if they wish, provided another driver hasn’t already claimed it.

Who was the last death on the F1 track?

The last Formula 1 driver to die in a race was Jules Bianchi, who passed away in 2015 from injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Bianchi’s accident, which occurred during rainy conditions, resulted in a head injury and prompted the introduction of safety features like the Halo and the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) system to improve driver safety in the sport.
 
This video shows the tragic circumstances surrounding Jules Bianchi’s crash: 1mTragic StoriesYouTube · Sep 30, 2023

• The Crash: During the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, under rainy and difficult conditions, Bianchi’s car slid off the track and collided with a recovery crane. 
• The Injuries: Bianchi suffered a severe head injury, and due to poor weather conditions preventing a helicopter evacuation, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. 
• The Outcome: He remained in a critical condition for months before succumbing to his injuries in July 2015, according to the news and information found on the official Jules Bianchi website. 
• Safety Innovations: Bianchi’s tragic death was a catalyst for major safety improvements in Formula 1. These included the mandated use of the Halo head protection device, which debuted in 2018 and has saved drivers’ lives, and the implementation of the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) system, which was also introduced after his accident.