Racing flags

Racing flags are traditionally used in auto racing and to communicate important information to racers. Typically, the flagger (sometimes the race official) displays the flag over an elevated position at the beginning and end of the race, over the finish line. In most circuits, there is a whole team of flag-keepers who are placed in strategic positions along the route to inform runners who have not noticed the indications indicated from that high position. This is especially common on urban tracks, where there are generally a large number of hairpin bends and level changes. Eventually, some urban tracks resort to indicator lights, such as s, which complement the information provided by the finish line flag.

Summary
Although there is no universal system of indications common to all motorsports, most categories have standardized them, and share some signals with other categories. For example, the black and white checkered flag is commonly used in all motor sports to announce the end of the race, while penalty flags vary from one category to another.

It is equally essential to note that some flags can be replaced by lights in poor visibility conditions (rain, fog, blind spots) or at night.

State flags
Status flags are used to inform all runners of the general status of the race.



Green flag
The green flag is generally used to indicate the start of the race. It is also usually displayed to signal the restoration of the normal race situation, after some warning, or to restart the race. Sometimes it is shown when the use of another flag is not necessary. Thus, if no incidents or delays have been reported in the race, it is considered to be "under the green flag". Also, a green flag at the pit entrance indicates that the boxes are open and operational. However, in some countries - firstly, - the national flag is used alternately, since the solid green is already on the flag of.

Likewise, in NASCAR, when a green and a yellow flag are shown at the same time it is to indicate that there is an incident in the race although the laps are already being counted. It usually takes place after the circuit dries up after a delayed start due to rain. When displayed from the race direction post, a green flag shows the end of a local on-track alert.

The IndyCar Series has incorporated a stylized lowercase letter "e" into its green flag to promote the use of as a category fuel.

Before the use of start lights in Formula One, and most official FIA events, the national flag of the country where the race was taking place was used instead of the green flag to indicate the start, and it is still used in case of system failure.

Yellow flag
The smooth yellow flag, or caution flag, calls on drivers to slow down in response to an incident on the track. However, the procedures for displaying the yellow flag vary according to racing styles and penalty systems. In Formula 1 competition, a yellow flag displayed from the race official's position indicates that extra attention should be exercised from that point on the track. The manner in which the flag is raised depends on the location of the particular incident. The manner of display depends on the location of the hazard:
 * A unique and static flag warns of an off-track hazard.
 * A single flag that is flown indicates some risk on the track surface.
 * Two flags waved simultaneously announce that the track is totally or partially blocked at some point. The driver is informed of the eventual need to stop.

When shown from a station or checkpoint, drivers are prohibited from overtaking until they pass a smooth green flag (which indicates, as we have seen, the return to normal racing status). This flag is displayed at the discretion of the track officials who form the staff of each station.



When the safety car is on the track, all flag points will display a square white panel with the text "SC" written in black. When the flag points are radio controlled, this warning will be instantaneous; otherwise, the placard will be displayed when the safety car first enters the track. This is accompanied by the display of the yellow flag (flown according to international regulations, static if it is an American competition - although it is flown when the main group of vehicles is in that sector, as well as at the exact location of the incident). The special conditions of the yellow flag affect the entire circuit - notably, it prohibits overtaking. However, in Formula 1, laggards whom the leader has "made a lap" are allowed to overtake that leader, once the race control indicates so. When the safety car leaves the track and the race continues, a green flag is displayed at the start line, and consecutively at all flag points on the track, for a full lap. Overtaking is still not allowed until the vehicles have passed the green flag on the starting line.

In NASCAR and Indy, a yellow flag waved over the starting points puts the race on notice. At that time, a safety car will enter the track to keep the competitors at a reduced speed. In these races, flashing yellow lights are commonly used to complement the main flag displayed from the start/finish line. The drivers are locked in their racing position and until the end of the alert period overtaking is not allowed without mutual consent (except for crashed or stopped cars). In some races, however, cars may overtake in the pit area during that caution interval.

Safety regulations and the "beneficiary" in NASCAR
The point at which the precautionary period begins is a controversial issue, especially in races on oval =s. Vehicles were traditionally blocked, preventing them from overtaking as they crossed the start/finish line; technical advances have made it possible to paralyze the race order at the same time the alert period is declared. This has led, in practice, to the end of the "return to normal race conditions" warning period, as drivers accelerate during the warning periods with the intention of cutting differences with respect to the leader. This practice, while giving the runners furthest behind the opportunity to regain a lap behind, was at times considered risky, as it encouraged runners to close competition in an abnormal racing environment. Safety officers were unable to respond to an accident while competitors were under control of the safety car, severely hindering reaction times and making it difficult to care for a potentially injured driver.

To compensate for this elimination of the period of return to normal racing conditions, in NASCAR and other categories of sports driving (both mixed circuits and ovals) the "beneficiary" rule (or "lucky dog", in English) was introduced, which consists of in allowing the first driver (in the classification) who is one lap below the leader to make up said lap during the caution period, to be in the same position, but with the difference that it becomes the last car rolling on the same lap as the race leader.

In other categories, mainly from s, drivers with a lost lap and who are between the safety car and the race leader, when two laps before the race restart they are allowed to go overtaking to the safety car, catch a lap and get to the back of the single file.

This rule, in force in the three categories of single-seaters, is designed to prevent lagging vehicles from blocking an eventual race restart, as well as to prevent unsportsmanlike behavior - such as a driver behind, teammate or friend of another, indirectly trying to help him preventing the advance of an opponent after a restart.



Flag with red and yellow stripes
The flag with red and yellow stripes is shown static, from the flag positions located throughout the circuit, to indicate that there is something on the track that could cause the vehicle to slide or even make it lose control: Generally, it warns of the presence on oil track, coolant, small parts or sand. Many organizers display this flag for a maximum of 2 laps.



Red flag
The red flag is displayed when track conditions are impractical or totally unsafe to continue the race or training session. Depending on the category, the vehicles are directed to the pit lane, or to a specific point on the track. Also depending on the category, any repair in the pit lane area or workshops will not be carried out if there is a valid red flag, obeying the regulations and, in exceptions, in causes of force majeure, such as a puncture.

There are several eventualities that if they occur would cause race officials to consider delaying or prematurely ending a race: rain, darkness, a blocked track - whether due to debris, water, or safety vehicles - a car on fire, or a devastating multiple collision., especially those that cause serious damage to drivers, cars, the track surface or the protection barriers, and that require immediate attention.

Some categories use a red flag when a serious accident occurs, or to temporarily stop a race as the end approaches. This is often done when, after a particularly serious collision, the track cleaning services require a long time to carry out their work relative to that left until the conclusion of the race, or to maximize the work of the safety team. During a red flag warning, drivers are required to stop at a specific point on the runway, usually far from the scene of the incident.

In the same way, a red flag or a board - sometimes with a yellow cross - at the entrance to the pits indicates that they are closed. This flag is used in both IndyCar and NASCAR. In NASCAR, a red and a black flag indicate the end of a training session.

Red and yellow flag in combination
In the event of a bad start, the yellow and red flags are displayed together to command the restart. The drivers must return to their starting positions and line up for a new start. It is used very rarely, as it tends to create great confusion among drivers trying to return in order.



White flag
In all championships using the FIA International Sporting Code, the white flag indicates the presence of an organization vehicle on the track when displayed from the race marshal's position.

In IndyCar and NASCAR, a white flag is displayed from the start tower to announce the start of the last lap for all competitors. Midway through the race, the white flag is also displayed but rolled rather than extended.

The white flag is also often used in North America in the same way that the FIA uses it. In IndyCar, this white flag also includes a red cross. Normally, official cars are not used on these circuits, but rather a pickup or towing vehicle is used, easily distinguishable from any other vehicle in competition. However, in NASCAR a blue flag is used in these cases.

Instruction flags
Instruction flags are typically used to communicate with a single racing driver.



Black flag
The black flag is used to drive a driver to the pits. It is used to punish a driver or a team that has broken the rules, but also when a vehicle is in danger as a result of some mechanical error, such as a loose axle or a loose shock absorber, and to alert you if your radio is not working. The affected car number is displayed in a designated place next to the flag stand - occasionally on the flag itself. Black flags can be waved from all observation posts simultaneously to order all runners to clear the runway, usually in the event of a serious accident. In other categories, such as Formula One, the black flag (with the car's number) means that the car has been disqualified and must stop the car in the pit lane or in a safe place.



Black flag with orange circle
In Formula One, a black flag with an orange circle in the center (known as the "meatball") will be displayed to indicate to a vehicle that it must withdraw from the track (and / or enter the pits) due to mechanical problems that could interfere with the stroke, such as loose parts or fluid leaks (oil, water, fuel).



Black flag on white
In Formula One, a diagonally divided black and white flag is displayed next to a vehicle number to announce that it has been penalized for. This flag can be displayed if a car intentionally tries to drive another vehicle off the track, or if a driver exits his vehicle and starts an altercation with another driver. (Currently, this flag is not usually used, since the track engineer usually warns the driver by radio). Other categories do not distinguish the signaling between mechanical problems / unsportsmanlike conduct and the of other rules.



Black flag with white cross
Some categories use a black flag with a white cross, displayed next to a driver's number, in the event that repeated white flag warnings have been ignored, thus announcing their disqualification. In NASCAR, once the flag has been displayed, the car does not score until it responds to the claim by going to the pits. In IndyCar, a normal cross is used instead of a cross that comes out of the angles of the flag.



Blue flag
A light blue flag, occasionally with a yellow, orange or red diagonal stripe, informs a runner that a faster vehicle (specifically, the leader and his immediate pursuers) is approaching and that he should move to one side to allow one or more more runners pass you. If the flag is waved, it is to indicate to the driver that the fast car is already (right) behind him. In some categories, the blue flag is not mandatory, so drivers only obey it as a courtesy to their fellow riders. In other categories, runners can be severely penalized for not retiring or interfering with race leaders, and can even be sent to the pits for the remainder of the race. In Formula One (in which the blue is a lighter shade, and has no diagonal), if the driver to be overtaken by the leader ignores three consecutive blue flags, a mandatory pit stop is required as a penalty (specifically, 5 seconds of Stop & Go penalty). In the old Champ Car, the regulations were more elaborate: at the signal of two blue flags waved from the starting point - known as the "Chief Steward's Blue Flag" - the driver was ordered to allow the passage of a fast group, under pain of disqualification.

Checkered flag
The checkered flag is displayed at the start/finish line to indicate that the current session (training, qualifying, or race) has been completed. On some tracks, a flag post next to the line will display another checkered flag, usually on the opposite side of the track. This flag is generally associated with the winner of the race, as it is he who "takes" (overtakes) it first.

After having seen the checkered flag and crossing the finish line, drivers are asked to slow down to safe speed, and return to their garage, parc fermé or paddock, depending on the applicable regulations in each category.



Checkered flag design
There is no standard layout for the checkered flag. Although it almost always consists of a pattern of alternating black and white equal rectangles, lined up in a checkerboard pattern, the number, size, and proportion of the rectangles vary from pattern to pattern. however, the checkered flag typically features a black rectangle in the corner of the flag closest to the flagpole. In NASCAR, the checkered flag also includes the fuel sponsor logo,, since 2004, and , previously, as a shield in the center of the flag.

In NASCAR and Formula One competition, a checkered flag is flown to signal the end of the race. In IndyCar, two flags are flown simultaneously.

Traditionally, NASCAR used a special version of the checkered flag, prepared for the awards ceremony, with the name and date of the race. This flag appears in the photographs of the winning team after a victory, and is part of the award together with the trophy. Teams often keep flags like this at their respective venues, just as commemorative banners are hung in stadiums in other sports.

Checkered flag origins
The specific origin of the use of the checkered flag to indicate the end of the race has been lost, although there are many theories. One possible but unlikely reason holds that the horse races held during the early settlement of the American Midwest were followed by large public meals and that a checkered tablecloth was waved to indicate that the food was ready and it was time to finish the race. Another theory claims that the first checkered flag design appeared in France, in the s. XIX, in cycling races. A more likely explanation is that a single-colored flag would be less visible in the crowd in the stands, especially considering that early races were held on dirt tracks, where dust would reduce the driver's visibility. However, the first photographic evidence of a checkered flag used to finish a race dates from 1904, in the inaugural Vanderbilt Cup race. Some historians argue over the dating of the photograph, dating it to the later edition of 1906 or even 1908.

A 2006 publication, entitled "The Origin of the Checker Flag - A Search for Racing's Holy Grail", written by historian Fred Egloff traces the origin of this flag to one Sidney Waldon, an employee of the Packard Motor car company, who In 1906 he designed this flag to mark the  checking stations  (now called checkpoints, or reference points) used in the automobile stations integrated into the Glidden Circuit.

In 1980, Duane Sweeney started a tradition in the Indianapolis 500 by waving two checkered flags at the end of the race: previous technicians had only used one flag. Sweeney was also the first to use two green flags early in the race.

The victory celebration with the checkered flag
On many short circuits, the flag operator hands over the checkered flag to the winner of the flag, but many other celebratory traditions, such as the burning of wheels, the "victory lap," and line or circle formation of the winners have cast a shadow on the flag's tradition. The "victorious return to the Polish" and the "tire burns" have become popular tributes made at the end of the race in commemoration of drivers' victims of accidents, such as Alan Kulwicki, who died in 1993 in an accident in aviation, or Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a Champ Car class race in 2001. Tony Stewart, imitating a Hélio Castroneves gesture, used to climb the fence after a victory and wave the checkered flag in salute to his supporters.

The symbolism of the checkered flag in popular culture
The checkered flag has become such a recognizable symbol that it is used to finalize the conclusion of many processes that have nothing to do with motorsport. For example, many installer programs display a checkered flag to warn that a certain program has been installed without problems.

Checkered flags also used to be placed in the corners of the of  when the  used that stadium to his  matches between 1956 and 1973.

Flags used in karting
The checkered, red, black, yellow, white and green flags are usually used in an identical way to how they are used in competitions in other categories described, as is the red and yellow striped flag.

Blue flag with red diagonal cross, which indicates that a driver with a lap behind must go to the pits.

A green flag with a yellow chevron, indicating that a false start has been made.

Black and yellow flag in quarters, which warns of any incident on the track and that the first driver to cross the finish line should reduce his speed to moderate the pace of all the other riders while the alert lasts.

Black flag with red circle, indicating mechanical problems.

White on black flag, divided diagonally (instead of the one used in Formula One, black on white) to warn of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Motorcycle flags
The checkered, red, yellow, white and green flags are used in an identical way as they are used in the motor racing described. The red and yellow striped flag is used to indicate the presence of debris on the track.

Other flags used are:
 * A white flag with a red cross, which indicates that the emergency vehicle is necessary or is already on the track.
 * A black flag with a white border, indicating that a pilot must leave the circuit.
 * A dark blue flag, indicating that a faster motorcycle is approaching the rider.
 * A flag with a "V", unspecified color, which indicates low visibility ahead. Used in the Isle of Man motorcycle festival.

Usefulness of racing flags
Historically, flags were the only means for race officials to communicate with drivers. With the advent of radio and wireless communication, obviously the situation is not the same. Most of the drivers who race in short ovals do not heed the flags, rather they are informed of the state of the track through communications with the team leader and the observers, as well as by the indicator lights that are common in such circuits. Occasionally, pilots may request the information provided by the flags, when for some reason there are radio communication failures. Flags are therefore used to communicate to spectators what is happening on the track. On the other hand, dirt circuits and runners of lower categories tend to lack the means available to their equivalents on asphalt, so they also tend to resort to information by flags.

In contrast to those small circuits, high-level drivers hardly pay attention to the flags. As it would be impractical to cover the entire length of the track with spotters, the first warning of an incident usually comes from the race officials stationed at "flag posts" along the course. Ignoring or ignoring their directions can have tragic consequences, as happened in a Champ Car competition held at the in 1991; when, after Michael Andretti almost collided with the back of a security vehicle - which was taking a car off the track - his father Mario Andretti made the same mistake: passing a curve too fast, he could not see the yellow flag either frantically stirred before him and crashed into her own son.