In F1, racing Flags indicate caution and danger. Let us take a look what the not-so-common black flag means in F1

The black flag in Formula 1 indicates that a driver is disqualified from the race. It is used to summon a driver to the pits – usually associated with a penalty imposed on the driver for disobeying the rules. Sometimes, the black flag may be used to call a driver to the pits when their radio is not working, though this is not common.

There are other different forms of black flags with slight variations. Let us take a look what each of them means.

1. Black flag with orange circle –

A mechanical black flag is a black flag with an orange disc in its center which indicates that a vehicle is being summoned to the pits due to serious mechanical problems or loose bodywork that presents a risk to other competitors.

2. Per-bend black flag –

A diagonally divided black-and-white flag is displayed with a car number to indicate a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. This flag can be displayed if a car tries to intentionally drive another car off the course, or if a driver gets out of their car and initiates an altercation with another driver. The black and white diagonal flag can also mean a warning to a driver for exceeding track limits.

3. Black flag with white cross –

This flag is displayed with a car number if a driver ignores the other black flags for an extended period and also it indicates that that car is no longer being scored.

What are the most famous incidents of drivers being shown black flags in F1?

Let us take a look at the top three incidents of drivers being shown a black flag during a Grand Prix in F1.

1. Michael Schumacher – The seven-time world champion saw the black flag during the 1994 British Grand Prix. Schumacher failed to serve a penalty in the stipulated time and waved black flags twice during the race. The German didn’t return to the pits and went on to finish the race second only to be recorded as a disqualification on the podium.

2. Ayrton Senna – Senna received a black flag at his home Grand Prix in Brazil. After a mechanical failure in his first-choice car at the start of the race, the Brazilian started the race from the pits using his spare car. Later in the race, Senna was shown the black flag for changing his vehicle after the race was green-flagged at the end of the formation lap.

3. Alain Prost – The Frenchman received a black flag during the 1986 Italian Grand Prix held at Monza. Prost’s race was black-flagged by the race stewards for the illegal car change before his engine blew up the following lap.

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