A red flag in Formula 1 means the session or race has been stopped immediately. All drivers must slow down and return to the pit lane or a designated area. Red flags are shown when there is a serious incident on track — such as a major crash, debris that makes the circuit unsafe, or extreme weather conditions. Once conditions are deemed safe, the race may be restarted from a standing start or rolling start. Pit stops are not permitted under a red flag, and cars are sent to parc fermé.
Example: Red flags are out — there’s been a serious accident at turn four and the race has been suspended.
A red flag stops the race completely; a yellow flag only warns of a hazard and requires drivers to slow but does not stop the session.
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