SUMMARY
- Ignoring Black and White flag can result in harsh penalties at the end of the session
- Lewis Hamilton remains one of the fewest drivers to be shown the Black and White flag in F1
F1 is the pinnacle of automobile racing in the world, with world-class drivers competing with each other at breakneck speeds, hurtling around the circuits. A place where the smell of burning rubber, the sweet scent of victory, and the roaring high-performance engines mix up in the air.
The drivers not only compete for the checkered flag but also for engineering innovation in their respective aerodynamic machines. It is a place where driving, quick pit stops and strategic decision-making help a driver to come out on top. With an adrenaline rush filled in the circuit and within the audience, the drivers set out to make history.
Unfortunately, with greater speeds come consequences that can be life-threatening and to prevent or avoid that, F1 introduced some safety measures that have their perks that some drivers hate, and some find them very useful and important.
What is the Black and White flag in F1?
The Black and White Flag is used to warn a driver of unsportsmanlike behavior or violating track limits, rules, and regulations. It serves as a formal warning for the driver accused of violating track rules, aggressive driving, or any form of unfair action towards another driver on the track.
On ignorance of this flag, the judgment can go out to the stewards which can result in harsh penalties at the end, causing the driver to retire from the event or added lap time. Things like weaving, causing collisions, and violating rules on the track are usually connected with this flag.
Current FIA race director, Michael Masi has brought back the flag in the Formula 1 championship. FIA has stated that ‘This flag should be shown once only and is a warning to the driver concerned that he has been reported for unsportsmanlike behavior.’ It is a way of directly communicating with the driver about his violations and urging him to adhere to track rules and sportsmanship standards.
Incidents involving the Black and White flag
Some of the incidents involving the Black and White Flag are as follows :
1. Lewis Hamilton received a black and white flag in the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix for weaving in front of Vitaly Petrov. Although, Hamilton did not receive a penalty and was only warned for his actions.
FIA F1 Race Director Michael Masi says Charles Leclerc was shown the black-and-white flag for “bad sportsmanship”
And warns to expect to see it shown more routinely >> https://t.co/qzOJoF7gYU#F1 #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/PVuhIB8LuO
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 9, 2019
2. Charles Leclerc was shown a Black and White Flag in the Italian Grand Prix 2019 for edging out Lewis Hamilton on the track. Leclerc was shown the flag as a warning but was not penalized.
Other flags used in F1
A lot of other flags are used in the Formula 1 championship to ensure a fair and safe competition. These other flags include:
1. Yellow and Red Striped Flag also known as the “hazard flag” usually indicates the drivers of a slippery surface on the track, usually an oil leak from an F1 car.
2. Black with Orange Disc Flag is waved at a driver to let them know that there is a mechanical issue with their car and that they need to do a pit stop as soon as possible.
3. A Black Flag is a solid black colored flag that has serious consequences if shown to a driver. This flag means direct disqualification of the driver who has violated rules or has done dangerous acts on the tracks towards fellow F1 drivers. This flag indicates that the driver has to retire from the current event by making a pit stop as soon as possible.
5. A Blue Flag is shown to a driver who is about to be lapped by a faster car and indicates that the about-to-be-lapped driver should give the faster car a clean way to overtake them without obstructing them. Ignorance of this flag will be considered as unsportsmanlike behavior and it can result in further penalties.
6. A Yellow Flag indicates the dangers on the track and signals drivers to slow down. Double Yellow flag indicates that there is an accident on the track.
7. A Green Flag is usually used before the lights go out. To confirm for the whole grid, a marshal runs across the track behind the grid with a green flag.
8. A Red Flag indicates a halt of the session or race. It signals all the drivers to stop on the track and wait for officials to instruct them to get to their pit lane or a spot assigned by the officials.
All these flags are used to ensure safety measures on the track so that any fatal consequences can be prevented beforehand. Although it is a good initiative and has been in Formula 1 for a long time, still the championship has experienced accidents that have been both, minor as well as fatal.