Black Flag with Red Dot

The Black Flag with Red Dot is a motorsport warning flag featuring a black background with a red or orange circle in the center, displayed to inform a driver that their vehicle has a mechanical problem that requires immediate attention in the pits.

This flag, often called the "meatball flag" or "mechanical black flag," serves as an important safety communication tool between race officials and drivers. When race marshals spot a potential issue with a car—such as loose bodywork, leaking fluids, smoke, or other mechanical concerns—they use this flag to alert the driver, who may not be aware of the problem from inside the cockpit.

The flag is always shown alongside a board displaying the car number of the affected vehicle, ensuring the driver knows the warning is specifically for them. Unlike some other racing flags that provide general information to all drivers, the Black Flag with Red Dot targets one specific competitor who needs to take action.

When a driver sees this flag with their car number, they are required to return to their pit area on the next lap. The team and race officials will then inspect the vehicle to identify and address the mechanical issue. This mandatory pit stop is not a penalty for wrongdoing—it's a safety measure designed to prevent accidents or further damage.

Common reasons for displaying the meatball flag include dragging parts that could become debris on the track, fluid leaks that might create slippery conditions for other drivers, bodywork that has come loose after contact with another car, or excessive smoke indicating an engine problem. In some racing series, this flag may also indicate that a car has exceeded maximum noise level regulations.

The safety aspect of this flag cannot be overstated. A piece of loose bodywork flying off at high speed could cause a serious accident. A car leaking oil creates hazardous conditions for everyone on track. By requiring the affected driver to pit immediately, race officials prevent these situations from escalating into dangerous incidents.

Drivers are expected to acknowledge and obey the Black Flag with Red Dot promptly. Ignoring this flag can result in additional penalties, including being shown the black flag for disqualification. Race officials take mechanical safety seriously because the consequences of ignoring a mechanical problem can affect not just one driver, but everyone on the circuit.

Understanding this flag is essential for anyone watching motorsports, as it explains why a car might suddenly leave the racing line and head to the pits even when they appear to be running well. The driver isn't making a strategic choice—they're following a mandatory safety directive from race control.