

The lights are automated, and the random timing of them going off to signal the start of the race is automated. Are F1 Starts Automated?įormula 1 starts are automated to an extent. This system prevents drivers from guessing when the lights go out or memorizing the timing and simply starting through muscle memory. This system is the best way to keep the race start as fair as possible by giving everyone the same time to react. In some cases, drivers must wait several seconds before the lights go out and the race gets underway. The time between the lights going off is completely random, and it could happen at any moment once all five lights are on. There is one second between each red light going on in an F1 start sequence. Using random timings ensures drivers need to rely on their reaction times and can’t predict the race start. The timing between each individual light is not random, but the delay between the final light going on and them all going off is decided by a random timing system. Are F1 Start Lights Random?į1 start lights are random.

The drivers drop their clutch and carefully modulate their throttle to prevent spinning their wheels, which will inhibit their start.

As soon as the lights go out, the race gets underway. When all five lights are on, the race is moments away from starting. The race director is positioned in the box next to the start/finish line, and they are in control of the start lights. At the end of the formation lap, the drivers will stop in their designated grid slots, before getting ready for the five red lights to go out.Īfter every car has come to a complete stop, the green flag will be waved by a marshal at the back of the grid and the race is ready to begin.
