page_title: History of Formula One regulations
section_title: 1950s
hierarchical_section_title: History of Formula One regulations / 1950s
caption_attribution_description: Juan Manuel Fangio im Mercedes W 196 mit 3-l-Motor 1986 beim Oldtimer-GP auf dem Nürburgring
context_page_description: The regulations governing Formula One racing have changed many times throughout the history of the sport.
  Formula One's rules and regulations are set by the sport's governing body, the FIA. The primary reasons behind rule changes have traditionally been to do with safety. As each decade has passed the FIA have made more and more changes in the regulations so that better facilities and equipment are available in the event of an accident at race meetings. These rule changes have also been aimed at eliminating dangerous practices from the sport in an effort to make it safer.
  Many innovations and technological improvements have been banned over the years as a result of FIA regulation changes. The governing body have taken these actions to slow the cars down to a level where a Grand Prix car can be driven relatively safely. Without this pruning of the sport's technological advancement cars today could be capable of cornering speeds in excess of 300 km/h. An accident whilst negotiating a corner at this speed would almost certainly result in the death of the driver.
  Since 2000, the FIA has been issuing an increasing number of rule changes to limit the cost of the sport.
context_section_description: Although Formula One races had been taking place since 1948, it was not until 1950 that the World Championship was established. Safety was almost a non-issue in the first 10 years of racing and technological progress was extremely slow compared to modern standards. All of the circuits that Formula One raced on in the 1950s had no safety features; the general mentality was that death was an acceptable risk for winning races, and as a result very few regulations were changed during this period.
  1950–1953 
  Engine specs set at 1500 cc maximum size for engines with a compressor (supercharger or turbocharger) or 4500 cc for naturally aspirated engines. No weight limit. Note that in 1952 and 1953, the World Drivers' Championship was run to Formula Two regulations (maximum capacity of 750 cc for engines with a compressor or 2000 cc for naturally aspirated engines), but the Formula One regulations remained unchanged, and numerous non-championship Formula One races were held during this period. Also for 1952, crash-helmets were made compulsory; but these helmets were made with dubious materials and looked like medium-sized dinner bowls.
  1954 
  Engine specs amended to allow 750 cc maximum engine size with a compressor or 2500 cc for a naturally aspirated engine. No weight limit.
  1958 
  The use of commercial petrol became compulsory and alcohol-based racing fuels were banned.
caption: Five times World Champion Juan-Manuel Fangio driving a Mercedes-Benz W196 in 1986.
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