It must be evident that a driver has reduced their speed during the relevant sector/s. 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. Simply put, the yellow flag is a signal of danger and can be shown to drivers in two ways: READ MORE: The records that could be broken by Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc and more in 2023 Yellow flag Yellow flag with red stripesĪ 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. 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. 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. It is shown to a driver who is about to be lapped.

It is shown to inform a driver that a faster car is close behind and is about to overtake. It is shown to inform a driver leaving the pits that traffic is approaching.

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: READ MORE: From cutting curfews to grid penalties – 10 rule changes you need to know about for the 2023 F1 season Blue flag In our next beginner’s guide, we present an all-in-one list to help you through the season… Green flagĪn 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. This includes a complete understanding of the flags shown by marshals trackside to signal situations from accidents to debris on the circuit. F1 drivers have plenty to think about while racing around the world at lightning speeds.

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