The FORMULA 1 2023 season is set to get underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
F1 races can start in two different ways, which are the standing start and the rolling start.
Charles Leclerc leading the start of the French Formula One Grand Prix
Max Verstappen leading the start of the Dutch Grand Prix
A rolling start has the cars on the grid in a formation behind a safety car at a pre-determined speed for a number of laps.
The safety car indicates it’s returning to the pits by turning off the flashing lights.
When the safety car arrives at the pit and is off the track, the race will return to “green flag” conditions.
All cars must wait for the green flag to be on show or for the information to be communicated over the radio before they can start accelerating.
The race leader will take the first position, and the trailing vehicles must stay in single-file behind.
No driver can overtake the race leader prior to the race officially beginning.
When are rolling starts used in F1?
Rolling starts are typically used when the weather conditions are deemed too unsafe for a standing start.
They are used more commonly during NASCAR events rather than in F1 Grand Prix.
A standing start is a more typical start to an F1 Grand Prix, with drivers starting in a stationary manner in their respective grid spots.
Which F1 Grand Prix have had a rolling start?
Last season, the Monaco 2022 Grand Prix had a rolling start, which was due to heavy rainfall.
Sergio Perez took top spot on the podium that day.
After several delays at the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix, a rolling start was again needed due to wet conditions.
The race was then red-flagged and forced to be suspended before the race officially began.
