Races don’t always run smoothly. After a Safety Car, Virtual Safety Car, or red flag, there’s a specific process to restart the action — and it can have a huge impact on the outcome.
What are the main types of restarts?
- Standing restart — cars line up on the grid again (after a red flag)
- Rolling restart — cars accelerate from behind the Safety Car
- VSC restart — race resumes digitally, with no bunching
What happens after a red flag?
- Cars go to the pit lane
- FIA announces the restart type
- If standing restart: cars return to grid in current race order
- If rolling restart: they follow the Safety Car for a lap
What happens after a Safety Car?
- Safety Car leads the pack until the track is safe
- Lights go out = SC coming in
- Leader controls the pace until crossing the line
- No overtaking until race resumes
What about after a Virtual Safety Car?
- VSC ends with “VSC ending” message
- Countdown begins (usually a few seconds)
- Drivers must instantly return to racing speed — no bunching
Can the leader back up the field?
Yes — but only within reason. Dangerous or erratic driving before a restart can be penalized.
Why are restarts so important?
Because they reset the field — gaps disappear, and tyre temps drop. Drivers must nail the timing or risk losing places immediately.
