Yellow Flag with Black Stripes
The Yellow Flag with Black Stripes is a warning flag used in motorsports to alert drivers that there is a slippery or dangerous substance on the track surface ahead, such as oil, water, coolant, or debris that could cause them to lose control of their vehicle.
This flag is also commonly called the "surface flag" or "hazard flag" because it specifically warns about problems with the track surface itself rather than accidents or other incidents. When track marshals spot something that makes the racing surface unsafe—like an oil leak from a car, spilled coolant, standing water from rain, or scattered debris—they immediately display this distinctive yellow and black striped flag to warn approaching drivers.
The way marshals display the flag tells drivers how serious the danger is. If the flag is held still, it means there's a hazard near the racing line but not directly on it. If marshals wave the flag vigorously, it signals that the dangerous substance is right on the racing line where cars normally drive, requiring immediate caution and likely a change in the driver's path through that section of track.
When drivers see the Yellow Flag with Black Stripes, they should reduce their speed and prepare to adjust their driving line to avoid the slippery area. The reduced grip caused by oil or water can make cars slide unexpectedly, and if a driver enters the affected area at full racing speed, they could spin out or crash. Smart drivers will take a wider or tighter line through the corner to stay away from the slippery patch.
One important difference between this flag and a solid yellow flag is that the surface flag doesn't automatically prohibit overtaking. Drivers can still pass other cars, but they must be extremely careful and avoid making risky moves in the affected area. The focus is on warning drivers about the track condition rather than controlling their racing behavior.
The flag typically remains displayed for one or two laps while track safety crews work to clean up the substance. They might use absorbent materials for oil spills, sweep away debris, or wait for water to drain or dry. Once the track surface is safe again, the marshals will stop displaying the flag and racing can return to normal.
Understanding the surface flag is essential for driver safety because it provides advance warning that can prevent serious accidents. A routine racing lap can quickly become dangerous if drivers aren't prepared for suddenly slippery conditions. By giving drivers time to adjust their approach, this flag helps prevent the kind of unexpected loss of control that can lead to crashes and injuries.
New motorsport fans might confuse this flag with the standard yellow caution flag, but the black diagonal stripes make it distinct and give it a specific meaning focused entirely on track surface conditions rather than accidents or stopped cars on track.