Duration of the race

Defining the race

The exact definition of the duration of the race is often a significant question, particularly in cases of wet weather or significant incidents. The start of the race occurs when the start signal is given (typically by the five lights on the grid), from which point the lap count increments by one each time the leading car crosses the control line. The finish of the race occurs separately for each car, and is when they cross the control line whilst the end-of-session signal (the ‘chequered flag’) is displayed. The end-of-session signal is displayed in three scenarios

the full number of laps has been completed;
the time limit has expired; or
a discretionary decision has been made not to resume the session.

Lap count

As a general rule, a Formula 1 race is defined with reference to a set number of laps of the circuit, determined by the FIA in advance of the running of the race. The lap count increments each time the leading car crosses the control line, with the exception of the initial formation lap. Further formation laps (for instance, where a car stops on the grid) are counted as completed laps. An aborted start to the race following a formation lap also counts as a completed lap. The end-of-session signal will be displayed for the lead car as they cross the control line to complete the final lap. After this point, the race will conclude for each car once they cross the control line, regardless of the race distance they have completed.

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 second clock begins 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. 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, however this was ultimately immaterial as a discretionary decision not to resume (see below) was made prior to sufficient time elapsing from the scheduled race start (the race had begun under safety car, making that the relevant start-point for the overall clock). It is unclear how the power to “stop” the compeititon 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.

Discretionary decision not to resume

If a race has been suspended (i.e. a red flag has occurred), and it is not possible to resume the session, then the race is considered to have concluded for each car as it crossed the control line to conclude the lap prior to the lap in which the decision to suspend was made. The Sporting Regulations do not provide specific guidance for when such a decision not to resume is to be made, but it presumably occurs where the clerk of the course believes that the track will at no point be able to be negotiated safely, and competitors or officials are placed in immediate physical danger by cars running on the track (the trigger for a suspension). This scenario is practically unlikely to occur, as it will be ordinarily desirable to wait until the three-hour time period has elapsed in the hope that the session can be resumed. In the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix, a decision not to resume was made after it became apparent that weather conditions would not improve sufficiently to complete any racing laps during the overall time period.