A course vehicle is a vehicle used by the FIA at Formula E events to ensure the safety of drivers, track workers and spectators in the event of an incident, and to allow the smooth running of an event. Examples of course vehicles are the Safety Car, Medical Car, Driver Extraction Vehicle, Ambulances and Fire Engines.
Safety Car[]
The Safety Car is used to slow the train of cars in order to facilitate the clearance of crashed cars, debris and foreign objects from the race track. While the Safety Car is on track, a full course yellow flag is in operation, meaning that overtaking is prohibited, and all drivers must drive to a speed dictated by the Safety Car. In most such situations, the pit lane remains open unless the incident is in such a location as to block the pit lane. The Safety Car may also be used in the event of heavy rain or other dangerous conditions. If the primary Safety Car is incapacitated, a backup is available at all ePrix. In the event that conditions are too severe for even the Safety Car to ensure the safety of the drivers, a red flag is shown to suspend the session.
In the event that other course vehicles are required, the Safety Car is usually also deployed. The Safety Car is not used in pre-race sessions, where a red flag is used instead.
The previous Safety Cars driven have been the MINI Electric Pacesetter and BMW i8 Roadster.
The current Safety Car since the 2021/22 season has been the Porsche Taycan Turbo S driven by Bruno Correia.
Medical Car[]
In the event that a driver is injured and requires on-track medical assistance, the Medical Car is deployed. The Medical Car carries FIA Medical personnel including Dr. Phil Rayner and is supplied with a wide range of medical equipment.
The previous Medical Car was the BMW Qualcomm i3 which served from the inaugural 2014/15 season up until the start of the 2021/22 season where BMW decided to leave the sport.
The current Medical Car a Porsche Cayenne, which will likely be replaced if/when Porsche develop an electric SUV.
Driver Extraction Vehicle[]
In the event that an injured driver becomes trapped in their car due to an injury or damage to their car, the Driver Extraction Vehicle is deployed to assist the Medical Car. This vehicle is occupied by trained medical personnel and equipment designed to help free a driver from their car.
The previous Medical Car was the BMW Qualcomm i3 which served from the inaugural 2014/15 season up until the start of the 2021/22 season where BMW decided to leave the sport.
The current Medical Car a Porsche Cayenne, which will likely be replaced if/when Porsche develop an electric SUV.
Ambulances, Fire Engines, Air Ambulance[]
These emergency vehicles are called upon in circumstances where a driver requires urgent medical assistance, or where a large fire occurs on-circuit. These are usually provided by the local emergency services instead of the FIA, and are normally deployed under a red flag. Where the race organiser deems that a Safety Car can satisfactorily control the situation, white flags are shown to the drivers when approaching the emergency vehicle to alert them to a slow-moving vehicle.
Cranes, Flat-bed lorries[]
These vehicles remove damaged vehicles from the circuit after an accident. These are usually covered under a Safety Car, though can occasionally require only double-waved yellow flags.