Like Montoya, Elio de Angelis too received two black flags in his F1 career. The Italian's first black flag came during the 1981 British Grand Prix for ignoring yellow flags during the race. His second black flag came during the 1985 Australian Grand Prix, which was the first race held at the Adelaide street circuit.
Prominent Black Flag Incidents in F1 History
For instance, Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella were both disqualified for running a red light at the pit exit during the hectic 2007 Canadian Grand Prix.
The black flag with an orange circle is used to inform a driver that their car has mechanical problems which are likely to pose a danger to themselves or others, and means they must stop in the pits as soon as possible.
Black flag
You don't see it much any more – in fact, the last time it was waved in a race was during the chaotic Canadian Grand Prix in 2007, when Felipe Massa's Ferrari and Giancarlo Fisichella's Renault were both pulled in for passing a red light going out of the pits.
With Hamilton only being shown the black and white flag once for this infringement, the seven-time world champion did not pick up a penalty and he eventually managed to finish the race in P5.
Drivers' Championship leader, German Michael Schumacher, crossed the line second in his Benetton-Ford, but was subsequently disqualified for overtaking Hill on the formation lap and failing to serve a stop-go penalty in time; he was also given a two-race ban.
Lewis Hamilton has been open about how he dislikes the fact that F1 seems to have become a club for “Billionaire Trust Fund Babies” while being the first and only Black driver in Formula 1.
Mercedes painted its 2020 car black as “a signal of the team's commitment to fighting racism and discrimination in all its forms.” After two seasons in the colour scheme, which also included the message “End racism”, it switched back to silver.
When asked why he competed under the Luxembourg flag despite being German, he mentioned how it helped him financially. In addition, he also mentioned qualifying for the world championship was easier under these circumstances.
It was a popular F1 event, but the Grand Prix was suspended right after the controversial 1985 race, due to the nation's policy of apartheid. Following the end of apartheid in 1991, the race returned to the Formula One schedule in 1992 and 1993. The 1993 race was the last South African Grand Prix, as of 2023.
Black flag with orange circle
At some road racing events, it is used to summon the vehicle to the pits to inform the driver of violation "maximum sound levels". Also known as the 'Meatball' flag.
The 2023 Australian Grand Prix holds the record for most red flags, with three.
A rare sight in Formula 1, fortunately for the drivers, as the black flag means disqualification from the session. The flag will be shown alongside the number of the driver it is intended for, instructing them to return to the pit lane immediately and end their involvement.
In the last 40 years, only six drivers were suspended, with Romain Grosjean being the latest.
All drivers wishing to compete in circuit racing and at International level are required to pass a colour vision test. Certain drivers will invariably fail normal tests used by doctors and optical specialists to check for colour blindness.
Formula 1's penalty points system is designed to punish drivers for on-track misdemeanours, with 12 points on their Super Licence within a 12-month period resulting in a race ban.
Black. Driver is disqualified and must return to pits immediately. This flag is accompanied by the driver's race number. Black with orange circle. Car is damaged or driver has a mechanical problem and must return to pits as soon as possible.
It's commendable that the sport has grown and matured so much that an F1 driver was last banned more than a decade ago. However, there are still prominent names in the paddock that have faced race bans during their careers.
Nearly all of the 2023 Formula 1 cars feature black in their liveries, but it's not just a design trend. Shedding paint helps these F1 cars with performance and new regulations.
Red Bull are in white as a tribute to their outgoing racing partner Honda. The Japanese manufacturer will bid farewell to the Austrian team after seven years of providing its engine, as it bows out of F1. Driver numbers are also placed on red circle backdrops - a reference to the flag of Japan.
Red Bull was happy to play up suggestions that it was an attempt to disguise the car's secrets during testing, but ultimately this was a clever marketing move to generate some attention.
The 2005 United States Grand Prix (officially the 2005 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on June 19, 2005, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and was the ninth race of the 2005 Formula One World Championship. The event is one of the most notorious motor races in motor sports history.
Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents came to Britain from the Caribbean, is the only Black driver in Formula One and is outspoken about racial issues and increasing diversity within the sport.
Lewis Hamilton has made history being the first and only black Formula 1 racing driver as well as holding the record of number of championship wins alongside F1 legend Michael Schumacher.