Editing Duration of the race (section)

== Time limit ==
Once the start signal has been given, two clocks begin to run. The first runs whilst the race in progress (or more specifically, not suspended), and commences once a start signal has been given. The second runs continuously from the start signal, including through any suspension time.
 
Where a race has been started under the Safety Car (and thus a start signal has not been given), the clocks begin to run once the scheduled race start time has passed.

Should the first clock reach two hours, or the second reach three hours, and the total number of laps has not been reached, then the race will end due to time.<ref>Sporting Regulations, art 5.4(c)-(d).</ref>  The end-of-session signal will be displayed for the lead car as they cross the Control Line for the first time after the time limit has been reached.

It may be possible for the running of both clocks to be paused by the Stewards through the use of their discretionary power under the International Sporting Code to “stop” a competition. Article 11.9.3.r of the Code was relied upon in 2021 to stop the clocks during the Belgian Grand Prix,<ref>At the time, the relevant provision was 11.9.3.o. See Scott Mitchell-Malm, ‘F1 Stewards Use Rare Power to “Temporarily Stop” Belgian GP’ The Race (online, 29 August 2021), available at https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-stewards-use-rare-power-to-temporarily-stop-belgian-gp/.</ref>  however this was ultimately immaterial as a discretionary decision not to resume (see below) was made prior to sufficient time elapsing. It is unclear how the power to “stop” the competition under the Code should interact with the time limits imposed by the Sporting Regulations, particularly given that the Code is a general set of rules governing all FIA competitions, not just Formula 1.