Knowledge (XXG)

Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and vehicles must conform. The F1 World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, usually held on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual championships, one for drivers and one for constructors.

A red flag is shown when there has been an accident or the track conditions are poor enough to warrant the race being stopped. The flags are displayed by the marshals at various points around the circuit. Following a red flag being shown, the exit of the pit lane is closed and cars must proceed to the starting grid slowly, without overtaking. From 2005, a ten-minute warning is given before the race is resumed behind the safety car, which leads the field for a lap before it returns to the pit lane. Previously, the race was restarted in race order from the penultimate lap before the red flag was shown. If a race is unable to be resumed, "the results will be taken at the end of the penultimate lap before the lap during which the signal to suspend the race was given." If 75 per cent of the race distance has not been completed and the race cannot be resumed, half points are awarded. No points are awarded if the race cannot be restarted and less than two laps have been completed.

Since the first World Championship Grand Prix in 1950, red flags have been shown in sixty-three races. Twenty-six were restarted on the first lap. Thirteen races, nine stopped because of rain and four due to accidents involving drivers, were not restarted. Three races were stopped due to incidents that resulted in fatalities: The 1975 Spanish Grand Prix was stopped on lap twenty-nine and not restarted after Rolf Stommelen's car crashed into a spectator area, killing five people. The 1982 Canadian Grand Prix was halted on the first lap after Riccardo Paletti was killed when his car collided with the back of Didier Pironi's Ferrari. The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix was red-flagged on lap five following the fatal accident of Ayrton Senna, in which his car crashed into a wall at the Tamburello curve.

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See 2012 Formula One season for more information

• * Button originally qualified third, but was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change. Button to take Suzuka gearbox penalty
• † Nico Hülkenberg (10th, no time set) was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change. Nico Hulkenberg gets gearbox penalty
• Friday Practice 1 – McLaren set the Suzuka standard
• Friday Practice 2 – Webber moves ahead in Japan
• Saturday Practice – Vettel heads Red Bull one-two
• Qualifying – Vettel claims fourth successive Suzuka pole
• Race – Vettel wins at Suzuka to slash Alonso's title advantage

• Friday Practice 1 – Hamilton leads Alonso at Yeongam
• Friday Practice 2 – Red Bull take control in Korea
• Saturday Practice – Vettel stays ahead at Yeongam
• Qualifying – Webber bests Vettel to take Yeongam pole
• Race – Vettel storms into title lead with Korean win

• * Rosberg did not complete a flying lap during the third part of qualifying.
• Friday Practice 1 – Vettel takes charge for Red Bull in India
• Friday Practice 2 – Red Bull dominate in New Delhi
• Saturday Practice – Vettel top as battle intensifies
• Qualifying – Vettel edges Webber for Red Bull lockout
• Race – Vettel wins in New Delhi as Alonso limits the damage

• * Sebastian Vettel (1:41.073) was disqualified from the qualifying session, and sent to the back of the grid after stewards deemed he did not have enough fuel in his car, following the session; Vettel had stopped on track following his qualifying lap. Vettel sent to back of the grid for fuel infringement
• Friday Practice 1 – Hamilton heads McLaren one-two in Abu Dhabi
• Friday Practice 2 – Vettel edges Hamilton at Yas Marina
• Saturday Practice – McLaren back on top as Vettel hits trouble
• Qualifying – Hamilton dwarves the rest to clinch Abu Dhabi pole
• Race – Raikkonen wins for Lotus in Abu Dhabi thriller