This was the era when it was normal to have at least one fatality per season amongst the drivers; 1968 had five drivers killed (although not all at Grand Prix).

This was the era when it was normal to have at least one fatality per season amongst the drivers; 1968 had five drivers killed (although not all at Grand Prix). Safety features such as barriers were optional at tracks, and could be straw bales, spectators had no minimum distance from the track, fire extinguishers were optional. Fuel tanks with bladders weren't introduced until 1970, rescue equipment and firefighting crews weren't required until 1973, flame retardent suits weren't standardised until 1975. Oh, and medical facilities and staff weren't required until 1980. It was an era when drivers were considered completely expendable, and being concerned with safety was cowardice.