Red and Yellow Striped Flag

The Red and Yellow Striped Flag is a motorsport warning signal that alerts drivers to slippery or hazardous track conditions ahead that could cause their car to lose grip or control.

This safety flag, also called the "surface flag" or "hazard flag," appears when track marshals spot dangerous substances on the racing surface. Common hazards include oil spills from damaged engines, water puddles from rain or sprinkler systems, coolant leaks, or debris like gravel and dirt that has been kicked onto the track from run-off areas.

When drivers see this flag, they must exercise extra caution and prepare for reduced grip levels. The flag can be displayed in two ways: a stationary flag warns of slippery conditions somewhere ahead on the track, while a waved flag means the hazardous section is coming up immediately.

Unlike some other racing flags, the Red and Yellow Striped Flag doesn't require drivers to slow to a specific speed limit. Instead, drivers must use their judgment to adjust their driving style appropriately. This might mean braking earlier for corners, avoiding sudden steering movements, or taking a different racing line to navigate around the affected area safely.

The flag serves a crucial safety purpose in motorsport, where cars traveling at high speeds can easily lose control on contaminated surfaces. What might seem like a small oil spill or patch of water can cause a serious accident when encountered at racing speeds.

While the basic meaning of this flag remains consistent across different racing series like Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar, specific rules about how drivers should respond may vary slightly between organizations. Race officials will typically display this flag until track crews can clean the affected area and restore normal grip levels.