WHY F1 DRIVERS ARE UNLAPPED AT THE RAISE OF A RED FLAG – UNFAIR?

With F1 on the rise to becoming one of the biggest spectator sports in the world, thanks to their involvement in social media and an increasing global fanbase, new and rather good questions are constantly being asked by thousands of people around the world.

After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, many spectators hopped onto social media and asked why F1 drivers are unlapped after a red flag is deployed? This is fantastic for drivers way back in position, but quite devastating for those all the way up front who have now lost all their hard work lapping those in last place. But why is this?

A red Flag is deployed whenever a race has to be stopped, and that can include severe weather conditions or after a devastating crash. When the red flag is shown, all drivers need to stop racing and return to the pits, where they wait for further instructions as to when the race may resume.

But, cars that have been lapped may not resume ahead of the leading driver, or drivers that have lapped them, regardless if they are in last place. The main reason for this is safety. But, the other reason is that it will be advantageous to the lead driver if the back markers are in the way at the restart.

So, after a red flag is shown, all drivers need to group together and resume the race in the position they held at the time the red flag was deployed.

Take a look at the video below by the YouTube channel, WTF1, on Why Are F1 Driver Unlapped After A Red Flag?

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