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Race Procedure


I know that the half hour on the grid before the start of a Formula One Race looks like chaos but there is a plan…

Race minus 30 minutes

  • The pit lane opens
  • drivers may drive around the track as much as they like,
  • drivers must pass through the pitlane to avoid the grid.

Race minus 15 minutes

  • Drivers must be in their cars and in place on the grid otherwise they must start the race from the pits.
  • Teams may work on their cars on the grid.

Race Minus 10 minutes

  • Everyone except team mechanics, race marshals, and drivers must leave the grid.
  • Teams will want to keep its tyres off cars and heated in tyre-warmers for as long as possible

Race minus 3 minutes

  • Tyres must be attached to the cars.

Race minus 1 minute

  • Engines must be running

Race minus 15 seconds

  • All personnel must be clear of the track.

Formation Lap

  • Two green lights signify the start of the formation lap, also known as the parade lap
  • drivers must remain in thir qualifying positions.
  • No passing unless a car ahead has stopped or has had an accident.
  • The cars circle the track once, usually weaving from side to side to warm up their tyres, and form up again in their starting positions on the grid.

If, for some reason, a car cannot start the race (engine failure during qualifying or practice, suspension fails, etc), the car can still join the race, but will take a 10-position penalty at the start. For example, if the car qualifies in 3rd, but has to change an engine at any point during the race weekend prior to the actual race, the car will start from 13th position. For strategy’s sake, teams will sometimes opt to start a car affected in this way from the pit lane. This means they start at the tail end of the grid; however, they can not only change an engine, but also start the race on a full load of fuel and with fresh tyres.

Gearboxes must be used for 4 consecutive events (counted as P3, the qualifying practice session and the race). A five place grid penalty will be incurred if a replacement gearbox is used.

The Race

The race is started by five red lights, controlled by FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting.

The lights illuminate one at a time, left to right, in one-second intervals, and then go out simultaneously after an interval of between four and seven seconds.

When the lights go out, the race begins.

Startline Events

Should the start need to be aborted for any reason, all five red lights will come on as normal, but instead of going out, the three orange lights will flash. All engines are stopped and the start resumes from the five minute point.

If a single driver raises his hand to indicate that he can’t start, the marshall for that row will wave a yellow flag, then after a few seconds, both the red and orange lights will extinguish and the green lights will come on to indicate another formation lap.