TRACK MARSHALS

Easily recognisable in their orange outfits, around 1,600 track marshals keep a watchful eye on the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans to ensure that all goes well.

These vital volunteers are the guardian angels of the racetrack and held in the highest regard by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, who provides training for them. Their main role at competitions is to:

• ensure competitors’ safety by displaying the right flags
• intervene quickly when incidents occur, such as a car leaving the track or an accident, and take care of towing or lifting vehicles stuck on the gravel
• clean up the track, by clearing debris, sweeping, or absorbing spills
• protect people like medics who attend incidents on the track

They are the race management team’s boots on the ground, but also their eyes and ears, in addition to the cameras on the circuit. The keep the race manager in the loop in real time and provide written reports if necessary, shouldering substantial responsibility as these reports can be used to decide sanctions.

THE FLAGS

THE FRENCH NATIONAL FLAG

The French tricolour flag is waved by the race starter – this year H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco takes over the reins from recent Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal – to officially declare the start of the race.

YELLOW

Alerts drivers to an incident, such as debris or a car that’s gone off track. Drivers have to slow down and can’t overtake until the green flag confirms that the risk has been cleared.

DOUBLE YELLOW FLAGS

Used to warn drivers of extreme imminent danger; they need to slow right down and be ready to stop quickly. Overtaking is not allowed. The all clear is given with a green flag.

GREEN

Means the track is clear after a yellow flag section and tells drivers they can put their foot down and overtake - back to business as usual!

WHITE

Indicates that there is a very slow-moving vehicle on the track.

BLUE

When waved, it tells a driver to let a faster car past, which is leading by one or more laps.

When held still, it lets a driver know that a faster car is approaching and to take care.

YELLOW AND RED

Indicates that the track has suddenly become slippery and may be dangerous. It is waved if it is raining or if there is a liquid on the track, such as oil.

BLACK AND WHITE

Used to warn a driver about their unsportsmanlike conduct. After being flagged with it twice, the driver may be shown the black flag.

BLACK

Removes a driver from the race due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The driver must go back to the pit and abandon the race.

BLACK WITH AN ORANGE CIRCLE

Tells a driver that their car has a technical problem and to return to the pit immediately to repair the car or withdraw from the race.

RED

Immediately stops a practice session or the race. Competitors must slow right down and head to the pit lane, without overtaking.

CHEQUERED

Marks the end of the session or the race.

IN BRIEF

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 2016, PRACTICE SESSIONS. A track marshal waves the blue flag instructing a driver to let another car overtake.