Racing Flags Explained

In this guide we'll be covering the meaning of each individual racing flag used in Formula 1. This guide is pointed more towards rookie drivers, people who really just got into racing. Any seasoned sim-racer or novice player should know the meaning behind each flag, sometimes it's just fun to take a look at them too! Well with that out of the way, let's get into it.

Commonly used race flags

Green flag

Let's just start with the flag you will always first come across whenever a race event is taking place and that is the green flag. Whenever the marshalls pull out the green flag this means track conditions are safe and the race is ago. The green flag always starts up all race events, this is why it will always be the first flag seen when viewing a race. The green flag can also be pulled out at the end of a hazard, in this case it's signaling drivers that track conditions are safe again and that they can up the pace to normal racing speed.

Yellow flag

Up next is the yellow flag. When this flag is waved you must stop racing, precieve of caution and wait to be picked up by the pace car (safety car). However in the current stages of Formula 1 racing sometimes there will be a virtual safety car (vsc) deployed instead of an actual pace car. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA, English: International Automobile Federation) will make use of the virtual safety cars whenever the track conditions are still acceptable for racing but when drivers will just have to precieve of caution. It's important to note that if you break the any of the following rules you will be given a penalty; ignoring the yellow flag by speeding through or by overtaking during a yellow flag. When track conditions are safe to race again the green flag will be waved and drivers can go back to normal racing.

Red flag

The flag above the yellow flag is the red flag. The red flag will be made use of whenever track conditions are not suited for racing. Conditions like extreme rain, a storm or a severe crash which has left a lot of debry waiting to be cleaned up scattered all over the track making racing normally unsafe. All these things are just a couple of examples of when a race can be stopped with a red flag.

Blue flag

The blue flag is waved to slower drivers on the circuit, backmarkers. Backmarkers have to make room for the drivers lapping them without delaying them too long. As the slower driver you have to make room fast or lift-off the throttle so the faster drivers won't be held up. If however you do hold up a faster driver that is lapping you on the track you will be penalised for unsportsmanlike behavior. If you have been lapped by a faster driver and you manage to keep up the pace you are allowed to pass the driver that lapped you earlier without being penalised for it.

Black flag

The black flag will be waved whenever a driver has violated too many race rules. This might be because of dangerous driving but you also might get black flagged if there is a problem with your car that might be dangerous to not only you but also the other drivers on the track. When you are being black flagged you will have to enter the pit-lane as soon as possible, it's important to know that you actually have to enter the pit-lane as soon as possible, if you don't you will be penalised for ignoring a black flag.

White flag

With one lap to go you will see the "static white flag" (held up white flag, white flag not being waved). This flag will be first displayed to the car in pole position signaling the driver that there is one more lap remaining before the race will end and finally be won by the driver who crosses the line first on the final and next lap. The "waving" white flag can also mean that there is a slow car on track, think of the safety car for example or when a fast driver will be closing in on a slower driver. This is a way to give the faster driver a heads-up on what is further up ahead without having to find out himself.

Chequered flag

The final flag in the race of course is the chequered flag. If you see this flag and you're in first place you are the race winner. The race will be over if all of the cars that are still on track have crossed the line with this flag up.

In summary

So in summary what you have learned are the meanings behind the most commonly used race flags on the track. Here's a quick recap on the meaning behind all of them.

• Green flag= start of race / restart / end of hazard / safe racing conditions / pit lane open
  
  
• Yellow flag= caution / road course local caution (single) / road course full-course caution (twin)
  
  
• Red flag= session stopped
  
  
• Blue flag= give way to faster cars approaching
  
  
• Black flag= disqualification / return to the pits
  
  
• White flag= final lap / slow car on track
  
  
• Chequered flag= session finished / winner

Final words

Well I hoped this quick guide helped you understand the flags used in racing. Thanks for taking your time to view this guide and well, have a wonderful day!

[Banana Bubble]

That was helpful

[AlexEngine95]

This is accurate though I do think that red flags aren't in the game it is missing some used in F1 in real life which are more complex and less commonly used

[RaptorMonkey]

white flag only means last lap in american series like NASCAR and INDYCAR. FIA International Sporting Code says its used for slow cars (1/3rd racing speed) in F1 its also used on fridays and saturdays during practice sessions to indicate that a driver/drivers are doing practice starts.

[TrialMacameau]

For Black Flag situation, there is no return to Pitlane. If you get black flagged, you lose control of the car and the AI controls it temporarily which will be driven to a safe spot and engine stopped within 5 seconds.

[Starbuck]

Yes they have certainly missed a couple, I haven't once seen the 'Red & Yellow' for slippery track!.

[Borderline]

a double waved yellow flag doesn't mean a full-course caution. It means that there's severe danger up ahead and you should be prepared to make a full stop if needed. If there's a full-course caution in Formula 1, they will hold a board next to the flag telling whether it's a VSC or SC.

[Festivized Holy Mackerel]

black and orange flag means return to the pits because of mechanical reasons, although I dont think that this is in the game.

[julixd48]

For the game a good representation, but for real life you missed on quite some importen ones.

[TrialMacameau]

Oh yeah , During a yellow flag, if you overtake you are given 30 seconds to give the position back or get penalized.

During Safety Car periods, you need to get your Delta time on the positive. If Negative you have 30 seconds to reduce your speed and set the Delta time. If at the end of the current lap you can push full throttle and catch up the safety car

[TrialMacameau]

White/Black flag => If you cut corners at higher speed => 3 seconds stop go penalty => Risk of Disqualification if too many (Missing the Stop-go Penalty will get you Unserved Stop-Go Penalty and a 5 seconds added to your final time)

White/Black flag => If you speed in the pit lane => 5 seconds stop go penalty (Not applicable on the 1st pit window) => Risk of Disqualification if too many (Missing the Stop-Go Penalty will get you Unserved Stop-Go Penalty and a 5 seconds added to your final time

White/Black flag => If you Jump the start => Drive-Thru Penalty within 3 laps => 100% Disqualification if not serving it within 3 laps ( If less than 3 laps, serve it within 2 laps, Risk of Disqualification. They don't want you to get one more warning during a 3 lap race. )

Hopefully it's the last time I'm doing this... I can't edit that, but only delete...