The Virtual Safety Car, or VSC, neutralises the race without sending out a physical Safety Car. Every driver must slow to a set delta time and maintain it, keeping the gaps roughly constant. Overtaking is not allowed.
The VSC is used for hazards that can be dealt with quickly, and it ends with a short countdown before racing resumes.
Drivers slow to a delta, no physical car.
For a hazard that needs neutralised running but not a full Safety Car deployment.
Race RGB pulses your lights during a VSC, distinct from the Safety Car, so you can tell the two situations apart.
Virtual Safety Car (VSC) FAQ
What does VSC mean in F1?
VSC stands for Virtual Safety Car. Drivers must slow to a set delta time with no overtaking, but there is no physical Safety Car on track.
What is the difference between VSC and the Safety Car?
The VSC slows the field electronically to a delta with no car on track, while the Safety Car physically leads a bunched-up field at a controlled pace.
Related flags
Feel the virtual safety car (vsc) in your room
Race RGB flashes your Philips Hue, LIFX and Govee lights with live F1 flags. Free race-weekend trial.