Bianchi Accident: Why the Controversy Over the Green Flag Makes No Sense

The videos and photos surrounding Jules Bianchi’s accident show that, at the marshal post located a few meters after the accident, the marshals are waving the green flag, indicating to drivers that after this point on the circuit, there is no danger.

A controversy is currently emerging over this fact. However, it has no basis because waving the green flag at this location—which is actually after the site of Bianchi’s accident—indeed means that yellow flags are being waved in the preceding area. The tracks are divided into sections that allow, among other things, the marshals to define the area where drivers should exercise caution.

The FIA has already stated that the double yellow flag was waved after Adrian Sutil’s accident because a vehicle was intervening at that location. In the video footage of the incident, the yellow flags are initially waved at the marshalling post in question because Sutil’s accident is in the sector that follows it.

However, once the tow truck moved the Sauber, it is no longer in the area under the jurisdiction of that marshal post. From there, it is logical for the marshal—and these are the race management’s guidelines—to wave the green flag again to indicate that there is no more danger beyond this point.

Nothing illogical, then, especially since the safety car hadn’t been deployed yet, in which case the track marshals would have been waving a “SC” sign along with a yellow flag.

#F1 Voici une infographie qui permet de tirer au clair la polémique sur le drapeau vert. @LeSAVF1 pic.twitter.com/CrUmGRUeXe

— Gusgus (Marc DLL) (@MarcAliasGus) 6 Octobre 2014