I've always wondered about this, so let me ask once and for all.

Whenever I see a race on Speed Channel, and when there's an accident in the race, the yellow flag would come out and every car would have to slow down into a single-file line. Some cars with a substantial lead would lose that lead instantly because other cars would catch up to get into a single line when the yellow flag comes out. Well, I guess my question is: Is there any compensation after the race resumes or do the leading cars would lose their substantial leads unfortunately? It's kind of unfair, imo.

Well, I've always wondered about it, so I'd like to know your answers. Thanx!

 

No that's racing. Any lead less than one lap is basically lost on a yellow.

 

That's why cars about to get lapped by the lead car always put up a good fight to try to keep the lead car behind them. That way, if there is a full yellow, they can almost earn their lap back. The pace car will pick up the lead car, and any car ahead of him will fall into line behind him; the car about to get lapped will be allowed to catch back up with the rest.

 

This is one of the reasons American racing generally is a lot closer than the average F1 race... I'd say there's probably an average of 3-4 full course yellow flags a season in F1.

 

But it makes for one helluva race when there is!!!

I still remember that race at Hockenheim a few years back where Fisichella and Hakkinen put that pass on that guy... Fisi passed on the left, Mika on the right. It was right after a very high-speed sweeper, I believe.


Well, I guess I don't remember it that well.

 

I recommend not watching forms racing that frequently have full course yellows, ie, american forms of racing.

 

american racing? racing involves turning left AND right

 

you have left and right turns in American racing don't you ...... just not in the same race ....

 

Or when they are about to crash they counter steer, that involves left and right turns

 

Okay, got my answer so going to lock this thread. This is going to become into an argument and diss on American racing. I actually knew it was part of the race because the race would resume everytime thereafter. But just thought I'd ask to be sure.