

Let’s look at some of the most common flags and see the differences in how they’re used by different racing circuits: But when it comes to motor sports, flags are even more iconic because they are used not just for one small part of the races but for almost every aspect.Įach flag design conveys a different signal to drivers, but there are differences between Formula 1, Ind圜ar and NASCAR - not only in what they mean but in how and where they are used. And from the penalty and challenge flags in football to the scoreboard at Wrigley, flags remain a big part of sports today. White flag: Shown when the lead driver begins the race's final lap.Ĭheckered flag: The most famous flag, the black and white checked flag is waved when the winner has crossed the start/finish line.Flags and sports have long been associated with each other. It indicates that the slower drivers should yield to the faster drivers approaching them. Drivers have five laps to respond to the black flag.īlue flag with diagonal yellow stripe: This is the courtesy flag shown to drivers not on the lead lap. Common examples include speeding on pit road, dropping debris on the track or failing to maintain the minimum speed on the track. This is usually for safety reasons - for example, a red flag was issued following Juan Pablo Montoya's collision with a jet dryer at the 2012 Daytona 500.īlack flag: Think of the black flag as the "consultation flag." Whichever driver is given the black flag must respond to a concern from NASCAR. Red flag: Signifies the race must be stopped immediately, regardless of the cars' position on the track. Debris on the track or a wreck are typically the chief culprits for this flag. Yellow flag: Signals a caution, which tells drivers to slow down to a predetermined speed. The lead driver cannot be passed on the track before the green flag is waving. Green flag: Displayed at the start of the race, and during restarts.
