Racing flags
The list of flag characters in motorsport describes the requirements specified in the motorsport flag characters. These are used for communication between the racing line at racetracks, the marshals and the participants.
The flag characters are used by the race organizers and the marshals to alert the participants to critical situations and regulating intervene in the running. In addition, the flag signals from vehicles of the racing line, for example, to lock or unlock the track, or in the lead vehicle, are shown. The flags can be held stationary or rotated individually or shown doubled or supplemented by panels with further information or light signals.
Often the term is wrong in the context flag used, although the Flags Signaling serve.
The use of the flags will be decided by the trained marshal due to the acute situation on their own. In Formula 1, the flag characters are now instructed directly from the racing line and transmitted to the driver's cockpit electronically in parallel. Alternatively, reflective signs or so called in F1 electronic flags are used at night race.
The track safety regulations, so the makers of the national sporting authority in motor sports determined by the respective national sports associations. The national sport sovereignty is perceived in Germany by the German Motorsport Association, in Austria by the OSK and in Switzerland by Autosport Switzerland and the Federation of Switzerland of motorcyclists.
Although in the automotive and motorcycle racing, there are international regulations and sports associations can set different rules and determine its own flag label or other use of flags.
- 7.1 Isle of Man
- 7.2 United States
History
1899, in the early days of motor racing, flag characters have already been used by a racing line for communication with the drivers. Here the still valid Red Flag and the yellow flag was used.
In the first automotive magazine in the world, The Horseless Age, was published the tender for the Paris- Madrid in motorsport in 1903 and described therein as determined by the organizer flag characters. The " Yellow Flag" marked 1903 in the Paris -Madrid race a mandatory stop, and the "Blue Flag " is a dangerous place, which was slower to pass.
During the 1906 Grand Prix season, the race was already the checkered flag with a black and white checkered flag at the Vanderbilt Cup at Long Iceland.
Circuit races
The flag characters in Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet the guidelines of the FIA and FIM. In Germany the flag characters DMSB in Appendix H of the International Sporting Code (automobile) or the generally applicable provisions for the road sports (motorcycle) are defined.
The colors of the flags are set according to the Pantone scale:
- Pantone 186C Red
- Pantone YellowC: Yellow
- Pantone 348C: Green
- Pantone 298C: Light Blue
- Pantone BlackC: Black
- Pantone 151C: Orange
The flags are at least 60 cm × 80 cm, the red flag and the checkered flag at least 80 cm × 100 cm in size. In Formula 1, the flags are instructed directly by the race management and controlled and displayed directly on the Formula 1 steering wheel of the participants since the 2007 season. The DTM has introduced a similar system in the 2012 season, this will be referred to here as marshaling system.
This flag is shown together with the respective starting number. ( Colloquially called this flag fried egg)
This flag is shown together with the respective starting number. ( Colloquially called this flag louts flag. )
This flag is shown together with the respective starting number.
Two tilted Flags: Great danger, the track is possibly completely or partially blocked or there are marshals track safety on the track. Be ready to stop!
Is the safety car on the track, this is next to the yellow flag by displaying a white shield with a black " SC" appears.
At the start procedure: Behind the starting line-up, a marshal shows the starter at the green flag, that the entire field is stationary and the take-off.
This flag will be shown at least 4 laps. ( Colloquially this flag called oil flag. )
The use may be announced by the tender, and can replace the use of a safety car. The flag is shown on the instructions of race management.
The flag is shown together with the yellow flag.
Examples
Prior to the point of danger is simply yellow shown pivoted pivoted behind the danger point green. It is from the Yellow Flag overtaking, speed must be reduced, and participants must be ready to dodge. Behind the Green Flag is over the danger zone, and thus lifted the ban on overtaking again.
Prior to the point of danger double yellow is shown pivoted pivoted behind the danger point green. It is from the Yellow Flags overtaking, speed is significantly reduced, and the participants have to hold themselves in readiness to dodge or to stop. Behind the Green Flag is the danger zone, and thus lifted the ban on overtaking again.
The blue car is shown a blue flag. The blue vehicle has to leave now pass the red car to the next available opportunity.
Against this slow vehicle is warned with the White Flag. This vehicle may be outdated. If this vehicle are available, the white flag is replaced by a yellow flag.
Formula 1 start lights
A race can be started by lowering the national flag, alternatively, the race can be started by a traffic light countdown. In Formula 1, the lights start is required.
- 5 rows: 15 minutes to the start of the formation lap, the pit lane is closed. You will hear a beep. 10 minutes before the formation lap the flashing red lights and the beeper sounds twice.
- 4 rows of 05 minutes to the start of the formation lap. You will hear a beep.
- 3 rows of 03 minutes to the start of the formation lap. You will hear a beep.
- 2 rows: 01 minutes until the start of the formation lap. You will hear a beep.
- 1 row: 015 seconds until start of the formation lap. You will hear a beep.
- With the change from red to green lights, the warm-up lap is started.
Launch countdown:
Flag signals at night
In 2008, with the first night race of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Singapore "electronic flags " introduced. Since these light panels have the same meanings as the conventional flag signals, the displays Digital flags are called; often the English brand name Digiflag used. Since 2011, the digital flag characters are used in all Formula 1 races.
The light signals replace the tilted flags red, yellow, green, blue and white. They must flash at a frequency of 3-4 hertz and without delay go on and off. The light intensity shall be designed so that the colors are clearly visible even in bright sunlight from 250 meters at an angle of 70 degrees. The back plate must matt black and the colors will have to be sufficiently clear. The electronic flags are realized due to the requirements for brightness, vivid color and switching speed with LEDs.
Certain light signals can be activated by the marshal, individual be controlled directly from the racing line. The current light signal is further reported also the following marshals.
If necessary, additional electronic Flag signals, such as the Yellow flag with red stripes can be defined in the Supplementary Regulations.
At other events, reflective panels are used, they must be highly reflective.
A faster vehicle starts to overtake. It's over them immediately.
If the blue flags are ignored three times, is a Drive Through Penalty -called drive-through penalty due. ( Can only be activated by the race. )
Karting
In karting following flag in addition to the flag signals for circuit races are used:
Rallying
In rallying comes on the line only the yellow flag is used, the head of the special stage ( WP leader ) also uses the Red and Green Flag.
Hillclimb
When an imminent threat of a mountain race is not canceled, but only the Participants are encouraged with the Red Flag, located on the track.
The other flags have the same meaning as in circuit racing, with the various black flags are not used.
Bahnsport
During path sport motorcycle participants is displayed with a yellow flag with black stripes the last round.
National Features
Isle of Man
In the Isle of Man TT additional flags are used for weather signaling due to the typical weather of the British Isles.
United States
In the U.S. series NASCAR and IndyCar nationally defined flag characters are used.
Is shown together with the respective starting number.
Two tilted Flags: Great danger, the track is possibly completely or partially blocked. Be ready to stop!
As a special feature, no changes can be made after showing the red flag on the cars; in contrast, apply the FIA area the rules of the Red Flag Line.