Purple Flag

A Purple Flag in motorsport is a signal used in certain racing series to indicate a Code 60 period, requiring all drivers to slow down to 60 km/h (37 mph) and prohibiting overtaking until the restriction is lifted.

Unlike more universally recognized racing flags such as the yellow caution flag or checkered flag, the Purple Flag has specific meanings that vary between different racing series. This makes it important for drivers, teams, and fans to understand the particular flag system used in each championship they follow.

The most common use of the Purple Flag appears in endurance racing, particularly in the 24H Series. When race officials display purple flags or purple lights at marshal posts around the track, it signals the start of a Code 60 period. This is a controlled slow-down procedure designed to manage dangerous situations on track without bringing out a full safety car.

During a Code 60 period, all competing drivers must immediately reduce their speed to a maximum of 60 kilometers per hour, which equals approximately 37 miles per hour. This is roughly the speed you might drive through a residential neighborhood. Drivers are strictly forbidden from overtaking other competitors during this time, helping to maintain order and safety on track.

The Code 60 system offers several advantages over traditional safety car periods. It allows race officials to manage incidents or hazardous conditions without bunching up the entire field behind a pace car. This helps preserve the gaps between competitors that have been built up during racing, making the competition fairer when racing resumes.

Drivers must watch for purple flags or lights at every marshal post around the circuit. When they see the signal, they need to check their speed immediately and maintain the 60 km/h limit until they receive the all-clear. The Code 60 period ends when green flags and green lights appear at each marshal station, signaling that drivers can resume normal racing speeds and overtaking is permitted again.

It's worth noting that not all motorsport series use the Purple Flag system. Many racing championships rely solely on yellow flags for caution periods and safety cars to control the pace. Before attending or watching a race, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with that specific series' flag system to understand what's happening on track.

The Purple Flag represents how motorsport continues to evolve its safety procedures and race control methods. Different series experiment with various systems to find the best balance between maintaining competitive racing and ensuring the safety of drivers, marshals, and spectators at the circuit.