F1 Glossary · rules
Red Flag
A red flag signals the immediate suspension of a session due to dangerous track conditions or a serious accident.
A red flag is the most serious signal a race director can use, indicating that a session is suspended immediately. When shown at the finish line and at all marshal posts around the circuit, all drivers must reduce speed and return to the pit lane. Unlike a Safety Car, which keeps the field moving at a controlled pace, a red flag brings all competitive action to a halt.
When It Matters
Race control deploys a red flag when the track is no longer safe for cars to circulate, even at low speeds. This usually happens after a significant accident that has damaged track barriers or left heavy debris. It is also used during extreme weather conditions, such as torrential rain that causes hydroplaning, or if a car is stranded in a dangerous position that requires heavy machinery to recover.
During a red flag, cars line up in the pit lane rather than their garage. One of the most critical aspects of this period is that teams are permitted to work on the cars. They can change tires and perform minor repairs, which often negates the pit stop advantage some drivers might have gained under a standard Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car period.
Recent Examples
The 2023 Australian Grand Prix featured three red flags, illustrating how they can fundamentally change a race's finish. The stoppages were used to ensure the race finished under green-flag racing conditions rather than behind a Safety Car, leading to multiple standing restarts. Another notable instance was the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where multiple red flags allowed teams to swap tires and adjust strategies mid-race, leading to a highly volatile and strategic battle.
Common Viewer Confusion
Fans often confuse the red flag with a Virtual Safety Car. While a VSC keeps the cars on track at a reduced speed, a red flag effectively pauses the event and requires everyone to exit the track surface. Another point of confusion is the restart procedure. After a red flag, the race director can choose between a standing start from the grid or a rolling start behind the Safety Car, depending on the current track conditions.
Common questions
- Can teams change tires during a red flag?
- Yes. Under current FIA regulations, teams are allowed to change tires and perform certain repairs while the race is suspended. This is often controversial as it can provide a 'free' pit stop to drivers who had not yet stopped before the incident.
- Does the race clock stop during a red flag?
- In practice and qualifying, the session clock is usually paused. During a race, the specific lap counter stops, but the overall three-hour window for the event continues to run, meaning a race could potentially be shortened if the delay is too long.
- What happens if a race cannot be restarted?
- If a race is stopped and cannot be resumed, the final results are taken from the order two laps prior to the red flag. If the leader has completed less than two laps, no points are awarded; otherwise, points are scaled based on the distance completed.