Motorsport Australia would like to provide circuit racing competitors and the motorsport community with clarity regarding yellow flags following incidents at recent events.

Both the process by which yellow flags are deployed as well as the penalties and impact of non-compliance continue to be a source of public debate in which Motorsport Australia can provide the facts, alongside a reminder of the crucial safety and sporting implications of obeying flags.

Situations can change quickly on track, and an incident that appears isolated may have developed into something more complex, including changed or increased hazards such as additional vehicles or marshals being present on the track. Flags are a key safety mechanism, and non-compliance puts lives at risk, including your own.

Yellow Flags

The regulations relating to yellow flags are clear and are detailed in the 2026 Circuit Race Appendix – Track Control and Flag Signalling, including:

Yellow flag: This flag is a signal of danger and will be shown to Drivers in two ways with the following meanings:

• Single waved: Reduce speed, do not overtake, and be prepared to change direction. There is a hazard beside or partly on the Track. It must be evident that a Driver has reduced speed, i.e. a Driver is expected to have braked earlier and/or noticeably reduced speed.
• Double waved: Reduce speed significantly, do not overtake, and be prepared to take evasive action or stop. There is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the Track and/or personnel on or beside the Track. During a practice or qualifying session, the Driver must abort the lap and not attempt to set a meaningful lap time.

A yellow flag/s will be waved at the flag post immediately preceding the hazard; however, the Clerk of the Course may order this flag/s to be waved at more than one flag post preceding the hazard.

Overtaking is prohibited between the first yellow flag and the green flag waved after the hazard.

Driver Responsibilities

The regulations are clear and leave little to no room for interpretation. However, great responsibility rests with the driver to understand and follow the rules, including:

1. Know the location of every flag point at circuit.
2. Monitor the status of flags at each flag point whilst you are on the circuit, whether in practice, qualifying, or race.
3. Comply with the yellow flag regulations immediately upon reaching the flag point at which the flag is displayed.
4. Ability to demonstrate to the Stewards, that you have complied with the regulations.
5. To not overtake any other car in the area from the point where a yellow flag is displayed until the point where the green flag is displayed.

Penalties

Stewards closely monitor compliance with the yellow flag regulations with the discretion to carry out clear consequences given the safety and sporting implications of non-compliance. Motorsport Australia expects its Stewards to enforce its regulations and to act to determine appropriate penalties when those regulations are breached. Motorsport Australia supports its Stewards to investigate these incidents and determine and impose penalties. Penalties for failure to comply are set out in the Circuit Race Standing Regulations and can include time penalties, drive-through-penalties, and loss of grid positions. In the case of dangerous behaviour disqualification or suspension is a possible course of action.

What if the flags have been incorrectly displayed?

Drivers are required to comply with flag signals, regardless of how the situation may appear from within the vehicle.

Motorsport Australia thanks you for continuing to approach yellow-flag situations with the care they demand to keep everyone safe.