Black Flag with Orange Circle

The Black Flag with Orange Circle, commonly called the "meatball flag," is a warning signal shown to a driver during a race to inform them that their car has a mechanical problem or damage that could be dangerous to themselves or other competitors, requiring them to return to the pit lane immediately for inspection and repairs.

This distinctive flag features a solid black background with a bright orange circle in the center, making it easily recognizable even at high speeds. The orange circle is typically around 40 centimeters in diameter, ensuring maximum visibility when displayed by track officials.

When race officials show this flag to a specific driver, it means they've spotted something wrong with that car. Common problems include loose bodywork that might fly off, mechanical failures that could cause the car to break down on track, fluid leaks that might create slippery conditions for other drivers, or even smoke indicating a potential fire risk. Essentially, the car has become unsafe to continue racing without attention.

The flag is always shown alongside the driver's racing number, so there's no confusion about which car needs to pit. Unlike some flags that apply to all drivers, the meatball flag targets one specific vehicle that officials have identified as problematic.

Once a driver receives the black flag with orange circle, they must return to the pit lane as soon as safely possible, typically within one lap. The driver cannot simply acknowledge the flag and continue racing. They must actually enter the pits and stop so their team can address the issue.

Before the car can rejoin the race, the chief scrutineer—the official responsible for ensuring all cars meet safety standards—must inspect the repairs and confirm the problem has been properly fixed. If the issue cannot be resolved quickly or safely, the car must remain in the pits and cannot continue racing.

Ignoring this flag carries serious consequences. If a driver continues racing without pitting after being shown the meatball flag, officials will typically escalate to showing them a solid black flag, which means immediate disqualification from the race. This strict enforcement exists because continuing with a damaged car puts everyone on track at risk.

In some racing series, this flag serves an additional purpose beyond mechanical problems. It can also be used to call a car into the pits if it's exceeding maximum noise level regulations, though this is a less common application of the flag.

The nickname "meatball flag" comes from the flag's appearance—the orange circle on black background resembles a meatball to many people. This informal name is widely used in the racing community, from professional series like Formula 1 and IndyCar down to amateur racing clubs.