Racing Flags

This is a description of the flags used at auto racing events. Some types of racing do not use all of these flags, and other types have additional flags specific to that type of racing. However, these are the most common.

This is, of course, the checkered flag, the flag which has single-handedly come to stand for auto racing. It is used to signal the end of an event, whether that event is a hot lap session, a practice session, a series of time trial laps, or a race. It is waved when the leader of a race crosses the finish line to signal that the leader has won the race. The checkered flag is often given to the winner of a race to be carried around the track in a victory lap.

The green flag means that the race has started, and laps are being counted. It is used to signal the start of an event, including a hot lap session, a practice session, a series of time trial laps, or a race. Furled and twirled above the starter's head, it means a practice or hot lap session can begin at full racing speed.

The yellow flag means caution. It is used to tell the racers to run slowly, either before an event begins or during a race. If it is waved during a race, it usually means there has been an accident or spinout somewhere on the track, or there is some debris on the track. That is, the race must be temporarily halted. In some types of racing, typically short track or dirt track racing, the lap count is halted until the race is restarted. In other types of racing, for example Nascar, Indycar, or Formula 1, laps are run under a yellow flag are still counted. On a road course (non-oval), only parts of the track may be slowed with a local yellow flag, while the remainder of the track may be run at full racing speed. On these courses, when the head racing official (the starter) waves the yellow flag, all of the drivers must slow, and the entire track is covered under a "full course yellow" until the race is restarted.

The red flag means danger - all cars must come to a complete stop. It is usually used when a more serious accident occurs, or when the track becomes completely blocked. When the red flag is waved, all vehicles must come to a complete stop and turn off their engines. While the red flag is displayed, the lap count is halted until the race is restarted.

The white flag means there is one more lap remaining in a race. It is waved when the leader of the race crosses the finish line at the beginning of the final lap, and it is displayed to all remaining cars until the leader again crosses the finish line.

The black flag is displayed to a specific vehicle to indicate that it must leave the track. This usually occurs either because the driver has broken a rule, or the vehicle is judged to be unfit to continue the race in its present condition. If the driver has broken a rule, usually a penalty is assessed and the car can continue the race. If the vehicle is unfit to continue the race, it must make any required repairs before re-entering the track.

The half red and half yellow flag means that the race must be completely restarted, with all cars returning to their original starting position unless they have been penalized. This flag is typically used if the race has been stopped with a yellow flag before the first lap has been completed. Vehicles that were involved in the incident usually must go to the rear of the lineup, and the other cars move up to fill in the spots vacated by those vehicles.

The blue flag with the diagonal stripe is used to signal a driver that his vehicle is about to be passed (lapped) by another car. The car at which this flag is waved is supposed to move out of the way and let the faster car go by. For this reason, it has come to be known as the "move over" flag, and it is normally not a flag which a driver likes to be shown.

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