From the 1960’s onwards, improved chassis and tyres allowed even low-powered vehicles to achieve high speeds on winding racing courses.

Motorsport still remained extremely dangerous. In addition to the familiar half helmet, the jet helmet was launched on the market in the 60’s. An improvement on the “pudding bowl”, the outer shell of this design covered the ears, thus providing considerably greater protection. Measures to reduce the risk of injury only improved towards the end of the 60’s with the addition of run-off areas and crash barriers to racing courses and the introduction of safety belts, roll bars and fireproof clothing. Injuries to drivers and spectators diminished by the end of the 1970’s

As racing cars and even some production vehicles were more powerful at this time than Formula One cars with their mere 220 horsepower 1500 8-cylinder engines, the rules were changed again in 1966 and the permitted engine displacement doubled in size.