Vintage photos show how Formula 1 has changed since its first season nearly 75 years ago

• Formula 1 held its first race 74 years ago in 1950.

• Safety measures were laxer in the early years, but now include barriers and safety cars.

• Racers' cars and outfits didn't always feature logos.

This year's Formula 1 season kicks off on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir.

A lot has changed since the first F1 race almost 75 years ago. Ahead of the new season, here's a look back at the early years of F1 races.

The first F1 World Championship race was in 1950 at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, England.

F1 was initially formed in 1946 and formalized in 1947, but the first world championship race wasn't held until 1950, ESPN reported. Giuseppe Farina of Italy placed first.

King George VI attended the race with his daughters, then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

Two years later, George VI died from coronary thrombosis and Queen Elizabeth ascended the British throne.

In the 1950s, racers wore plain uniforms with no featured sponsorships.

F1 drivers posed for a photo in 1951 at the Paris Grand Prix wearing their jumpsuits, head coverings, and goggles.

The race cars featured retro touches such as plaid upholstery.

At the British Grand Prix in 1956, the cockpit of the Connaught Type B race car had plaid upholstery.

Huge crowds gathered to watch racers zoom through the Monaco Grand Prix in 1955.

Maurice Trintignant rode to victory in a Ferrari 625 at the Monaco Grand Prix.

In 1961, a race car crashed into the crowd during the Italian Grand Prix, killing the driver and 15 spectators.

Wolfgang von Trips, the German driver, died after he was thrown from his race car following a collision with the English driver Jim Clark's Lotus at the end of the second lap.