Red and Yellow Striped Flag

The Red and Yellow Striped Flag is a warning signal in motorsports that alerts drivers to a slippery or hazardous surface on the track ahead, such as oil spills, water, debris, or any condition that could reduce tire grip and cause loss of control.

Think of this flag as motorsport's version of a "wet floor" sign you'd see in a grocery store. Just as that sign warns you to walk carefully, the red and yellow striped flag tells race drivers to proceed with extreme caution because the track surface ahead isn't providing normal grip levels. This flag is sometimes called the "surface flag" or "debris flag" by racing professionals.

When track marshals display this flag at their observation post, they're signaling that something on the racing surface has made it dangerous. Common causes include oil leaking from a damaged race car, coolant fluid, rainwater collecting in certain areas, loose gravel or sand blown onto the track, or pieces of debris from an accident. Any of these hazards can dramatically reduce the friction between a race car's tires and the track surface.

Drivers who see the red and yellow striped flag should immediately reduce their speed and avoid sudden steering inputs or hard braking. Racing tires are designed to work best with maximum grip, so when that grip suddenly disappears, even experienced drivers can spin out or crash. The flag gives them advance warning to adjust their driving style before reaching the hazardous area.

The flag is always displayed at the marshal post nearest to where the problem exists. This location-specific warning helps drivers know exactly where to expect trouble. They might see the flag waving at turn three, for example, telling them that particular corner has a slippery surface, while the rest of the track remains normal.

In motorcycle racing, this yellow and red striped flag takes on even greater importance. Motorcycles are more sensitive to surface conditions than cars because they lean through corners, requiring consistent grip. Debris that might barely affect a car could cause a motorcycle rider to crash, so this flag serves as a critical safety warning in two-wheeled racing.

The flag remains displayed until track workers have cleaned up the hazard and confirmed the surface is safe again. In some racing series, if the condition persists or worsens, officials might deploy a safety car or even red-flag the session to stop all cars while the track is properly cleaned.

Understanding flag signals like the red and yellow striped flag is essential for anyone involved in motorsports, from professional drivers to amateur racers. These visual communication tools allow race officials to quickly warn competitors about dangers without using radios or other technology that might fail or be missed during the intensity of competition.