Know Formula 1 • Episode 10
From Grid Walk to Chequered Flag: The Grand Prix Timeline
Series: Know F1 • Reading Time: 5 Mins • Format: Web / Video Script Companion
Sunday at a Grand Prix follows a precise regulatory countdown enforced by race control down to the exact second.
- Pit Lane Opens (-40 Mins): Cars leave garages to perform reconnaissance laps before taking their designated grid slots.
- Formation Lap (-0 Mins): Led by the pole sitter, cars weave aggressively to build thermal energy in their tyre treads and brakes. No overtaking is allowed.
- The Start Sequence: The cars slot into the grid boxes. Five red lights illuminate sequentially one second apart. Once all five are lit, an automated random delay of 0.2 to 3.0 seconds occurs before the lights go out, initiating the race.
- The Pit Stops: Drivers must make at least one mandatory tyre stop to run two distinct dry tyre compounds.
- Parc Fermé & Scrutineering: Upon crossing the chequered flag, cars must enter a restricted zone where FIA technical inspectors weigh chassis, siphon fuel compliance samples, and measure wing legalities before confirming the podium.