Formula 1
Formula 1 race starts and restarts: formation lap, lights and red flags
The start of a Formula 1 race follows a strict sequence before the cars are released. This guide explains the formation lap, the five-light start, aborted starts, pit-lane starts and how a suspended race can resume.
The formation lap prepares the field for the start
When the green lights are shown, cars able to do so leave the grid with the pole-position driver leading. Practice starts are forbidden and the field should remain as compact as possible. Overtaking is allowed only in limited cases when a car is delayed and the original order can be restored.
Five red lights give the normal standing-start signal
After the cars return to their grid positions, the normal race start uses five red lights. The lights are illuminated one by one at one-second intervals. At any time after the fifth red light is on, all red lights are extinguished at the permanent starter’s discretion and that extinguishing is the start signal. Cars assigned to start from the Pit Lane wait there and join after the cars on track have passed the end of the Pit Lane for the first time.
A dangerous problem can abort the start or trigger another formation lap
If a problem could endanger the start, the Race Director may order an aborted start. Orange lights and an ABORTED START message are shown, and the start procedure later begins again from the ten-minute signal. A driver who caused an aborted start and can continue must start from the Pit Lane. Each completed aborted-start or extra-formation-lap procedure shortens the session by one lap.
A red flag suspends the race before a controlled resumption
If the Race Director suspends the Race, red flags are shown, overtaking is forbidden and cars must proceed slowly to the Pit Lane unless an exceptional safety instruction sends them to the grid. A Resumption Order is then established. After laps behind the Safety Car, the Race Director may choose a standing-start resumption or a rolling-start resumption when conditions are safe.