David Beckham waves the checkered flag as Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line during the Formula One Bahrain Grand (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / various sources / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
What is the meaning of the black and white flag in F1?
Formula 1 racing has a number of flags and all the drivers are obligated to follow the significance to them whenever racing and today we focus on the black and white flag. Moreover, during every race, most of the drivers would be glad to face no flags except the chequered one.
Flag signals are a very important part of the running of a Grand Prix. They are the only way that race officials can communicate with the drivers. The flag tells a racer of any kind of danger, failure or success.
Every colour has a different meaning. A green flag means start or go. A blue flag means to allow a faster car to pass. Yellow flags mean caution! The car should slow down.
The black flag is accompanied by the car number and indicates that the driver is disqualified from the race. The driver is directed to return to the pit and will take no further part in the race.
Shown with a car number to indicate that the car has a mechanical problem and the driver must return to his pit immediately.
The white flag warns of a slow-moving vehicle on the track, such as a tow truck or safety car.
This flag is shown with a car number to indicate a warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour. A black flag may follow if the driver takes no heed of the warning.
Max Verstappen was heard giving a hilarious response over his Red Bull team radio after he was issued a black and white flag at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Despite holding the lead in the latter stages of the race the Dutchman was pipped by the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton late on, however, their battle was a dramatic one, to say the least.
So much so that Verstappen was issued with a black and white flag part way through for unsporting behaviour as he weaved across a straight on the Sao Paulo track.
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Following the flagging, the Dutchman received a message from his Red Bull team explaining why to which he replied: “Yeah, perfect. Say hi.”
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