The beginner’s guide to… Formula 1 flags

F1 drivers have plenty to think about while racing around the world at lightning speeds. This includes a complete understanding of the flags shown by marshals trackside to signal situations from accidents to debris on the circuit. In our next beginner’s guide, we present an all-in-one list to help you through the season…

Green flag

An easy one to start with, the green flag is used to indicate that the track is clear, whether this is at the start of a warm-up lap, practice session or qualifying session, or immediately after an incident that necessitated the use of one or more yellow flags.

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Blue flag

The blue flag is normally waved to inform a driver that they are about to be overtaken, but it takes on a slightly different meaning for the race compared to sessions earlier in the weekend:

At all times:

It is shown to inform a driver leaving the pits that traffic is approaching.

During practice:

It is shown to inform a driver that a faster car is close behind and is about to overtake.

During the race:

It is shown to a driver who is about to be lapped. When shown, the driver concerned must allow the following car to pass at the earliest opportunity and, if three warnings are ignored, they will be penalised.

White flag

The white flag is waved to inform the driver that there is a much slower vehicle ahead, and is sometimes seen at the end of practice sessions while drivers complete practice starts.

Yellow flag with red stripes

A motionless, striped yellow/red flag is shown to inform drivers that there has been a deterioration in grip levels due to oil or water on the track up ahead.

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Yellow flag

Simply put, the yellow flag is a signal of danger and can be shown to drivers in two ways:

Single waved:

This means drivers need to reduce their speed, cannot overtake and must be prepared to change direction, due to a hazard beside or partly on the track. It must be evident that a driver has reduced their speed during the relevant sector/s.

Double waved:

This means drivers need to reduce their speed significantly, cannot overtake and must be prepared to change direction or stop, due to a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track and/or marshals working on or beside the track.

During free practice and qualifying, it must be evident that a driver has not attempted to set a meaningful lap time (they should abandon the lap, though it does not mean they have to pit, as the track could be clear the following lap).

‘Code 60’ flag

In some cases, the Clerk of the Course or Race Director may impose a speed limit around the entire track, or any section of the track, when double yellow flags are displayed during practice sessions, qualifying sessions or races.

If a single speed limit is imposed around the entire track, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board indicating ‘FCY’ (Full Course Yellow), or a purple flag with a white circle containing the number 60 (known as ‘Code 60’), which sets a 60 km/h limit.

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If a variable speed limit is imposed, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board labelled VSC (Virtual Safety Car), and if a speed limit is imposed on a section of the track, the start and end of the zone will be marked with a double yellow flag and board labelled ‘SLOW’.

Red flag

A red flag is waved at the start line – and at each marshal post around the circuit – when officials have decided to stop a practice session, qualifying session or race, with reasons ranging from a serious incident to poor weather conditions.

In practice and qualifying, all drivers are required to reduce their speed and proceed slowly back to their respective pit garages, while in the race, all drivers are required to reduce their speed and proceed slowly to the pit lane, line up at the exit and await instructions.

Black flag

The black flag is used to disqualify a driver and orders them to return to their pit garage at once. The decision to show this flag rests solely with the stewards.

Black flag with an orange disc

The black flag with an orange circle is used to inform a driver that their car has mechanical problems which are likely to pose a danger to themselves or others, and means they must stop in the pits as soon as possible.

If and when the mechanical problems have been rectified to the satisfaction of the chief scrutineer, the car may rejoin the race, otherwise it must remain in the pits.

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Black and white flag

The black and white flag is shown as a warning to a driver that they have been reported for unsportsmanlike behaviour. It is accompanied by the driver’s race number – which also applies to the black flag and black flag with an orange disc above.

Chequered flag

The black and white chequered flag – waved from above the pit wall – marks the end of any practice session, qualifying session or race, and is waved until all competing cars have reached it.

Flag panels

In addition to marshals displaying flags trackside, digital light panels are in place around all F1 circuits to ensure that messages are as clear as possible for drivers – taking into account day and night events and changeable weather conditions (see the video above).