Motorsport Basics - Flags

Hey everyone, so I'll be making 2-3 blog posts a week for anyone just getting into motorsport, laying out everything you need to know!

And today's topic is flags. Flags are used within motorsport to help communicate with the drivers; this can be done to warn them about potential hazards on the track.

Pictured are the 10 flags that can be waved during an F1 race.

The chequered flag, arguably the most recognisable, as the flag that is waved at the end of the race. It is also the flag that determines the final standings.

Then we have the green flag, which is used to indicate whether or not the track is clear. This is used at the start of practice and qualifying sessions, and also the flag that is waved following an incident that required the use of one or more yellow flags.

The yellow flag is used in two different ways, in the form of single yellows or double yellows.

A single yellow flag being waved means a driver needs to reduce their speed, and during this time are unable to overtake due to a hazard being partly on the track or next to the track.

Whereas a double yellow being waved means that drivers must significantly reduce the speed, must not overtake and that they need to be prepared to stop as there may be a hazard blocking the track (wholly or partly).

The red flag is one which is waved both at the start line and at each marshal post around the circuit. This is done if officials have decided to stop practice sessions, qualifying or the race itself. There are many reasons as to why this may be done; it could be due to poor weather conditions, but it could also be if a serious incident has taken place.

Another flag that may be waved within Formula 1 is the white flag, which informs drivers that there is a slower vehicle ahead. This flag is occasionally seen towards the end of a practice session.

The yellow & red striped flag is used to inform drivers of deteriorating grip levels on the track ahead. This can be a result of water or oil on the surface.

Then we have the blue flag, normally being waved to inform the driver that they are about to be overtaken. However, the meaning of this flag varies between the races and practice sessions. 

During a practice session, this flag is waved to inform a driver that a faster car is close and about to overtake. An example of this is the slower car may be on its cool-down lap while the faster driver behind them is on a faster lap.

During the race, however, the blue flag is shown to a driver who is close to being 'lapped' which means that with faster cars behind the slower driver, as a result falls a full lap behind. The slower driver must allow the cars behind to pass at the earliest opportunity they can, and if three warnings to do this get ignored, the driver gets penalised.

There is also the black and white flag (not the same as the chequered flag). This flag is diagonally divided, half-black, half-white, and is waved as a warning to a driver reported to be acting unsportsmanlike (for example, exceeding track limits) and more likely than not results in punishment, whether this be a time penalty, or it can also be a drop in places on the grid in the following race.

Then we've got the black flag with the orange disc. This is used to inform the drivers that their car has a mechanical problem, which may cause danger to either themselves or others, meaning they must pit as soon as possible.

Finally, we have got the black flag, which is used to disqualify a driver, and it orders them to return to their pit garage at once. This is a very rare occurrence within Formula 1, but it has happened on a few occasions, these being:

- Nico Hulkenberg - 2024 Brazilian GP

- Giancarlo Fisichella/Felipe Massa - 2007 Canadian GP

- Juan Pablo Montoya - 2005 Canadian GP/2004 US GP

- Jarno Trulli - 2001 Austrian GP

- Michael Schumacher - 1994 British GP

- Nigel Mansell - 1989 Portuguese GP

- Aryton Senna - 1988 Brazilian GP

- Alain Prost - 1986 Italian GP

- Elio de Angelis - 1985 Australian GP/1981 British GP