Planet-F1

Electronic flags to be used in Singapore

Thursday 21st August 2008

The traditional coloured warning flags waved by race marshals will not be used during the Singapore Grand Prix.

The race in late September will be Formula One's first night race, and electronic flags will replace the traditional flags.

Coloured flags, which are waved by marshals, give various messages to drivers around the track. Different colours have different meanings for example a red flag means the race has stopped while a yellow flag indicates there is danger ahead and overtaking is prohibited.

The traditional flags will be hard to spot during the inaugural night race, but the electronic flags, supplemented by electronic boards alongside the track, will help to make things a little easier for the drivers.

The 'DigiFlags' will display the different flag colours more effectively at the night race because of the brightness of the display boards.

Thirty-five display panels, which will be controlled by hand-held panels operated by officials at each marshal's post, will be situated around the track.

The race director will have an overview of the warnings being displayed around the circuit, which will allow more centralised and more efficient communication of warnings to drivers.