Find Out: What are blue flags in F1 and when are they brought out
You must have noticed a number of flags while watching a Formula One race. Apart from the common Chequered, Red and Yellow flags you must have noticed a blue flag and wondered, What are blue flags in F1?
Well, In this article we will take a look at all you need to know about the blue flags in F1 which might have left you confused at times. A blue flag is brought out to indicate a driver that a faster car is approaching. And he should not cause hindrance to it and let it pass by easily. For example if the leading car is right behind the last place car which is significantly slower than him, the last car should let the leader pass by.
It is shown to the driver who is about to get lapped in the race. However in the practice or qualifying the flag can be brought out for any slower driver. Many series and competitions do not have this as a mandatory. This means that it is up to the driver’s wish whether he wants to let the care pass him or not. That is why it is also referred as the “Courtesy Flag.”
However, as per the FIA it is a compulsion in Formula One. The slower car must let the faster car get past him. The blue flag is put into action when the faster car is 1.2 seconds behind the slower car. The driver which is shown a maximum of three blue flags and if he does not obey the rules, they can be heavily penalized.
Some other common flags in the F1
Yellow
The flag indicates ‘downstream’ where no overtaking is allowed or an obstruction on the track. A yellow flag with red stripes denotes that the surface is slippery. Basically a yellow flag is for caution.
Red
Red flag indicates the suspension of a session. This can be due to multiple factors like extreme rain or a major accident on the track.
Green
This flag is a signal is just a clearance signal which indicates the drivers can resume racing after a yellow or a red flag has been shown.
Black
Black flag indicates a penalty which means the driver must get back to the pit. There is a possibility of being disqualified if and when shown the black flag. Black with white stripes mean a showcase of unsportsmanlike behavior and if not acted upon it can lead to a black flag.
Chequered
This flag needs no introduction and is the signal that the race has been completed.
These were all the common flags in the Formula One which can help you to understand the races better.
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