What is the purpose of a safety car during a race?

The purpose of a safety car during a race is to maintain a safe pace when there are hazards on the track. When there is an incident, such as an accident or debris on the racing surface, the safety car is deployed to slow down the field and ensure that drivers can navigate through the potentially dangerous situation safely.

The safety car's presence reduces the speed of the cars, allowing officials to attend to the hazard without putting the drivers at risk. This controlled pace allows for safe conditions until the situation is resolved, after which the race can be resumed under normal racing conditions.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary function of the safety car. It does not provide a pit stop opportunity, as that is typically related to race strategy rather than safety. While repairs might need to be conducted during a race, the safety car isn’t responsible for allowing this; instead, it focuses solely on maintaining safety. Furthermore, assisting in the training of new drivers is not a function of the safety car, as its role is explicitly tied to managing safety during live race conditions, not educational purposes.