As well being
Formula One's first ever night race, the Singapore Grand Prix will also mark the introduction of electronic flag displays as well as the traditional flags to let the drivers know of problems ahead.
The flag signals, which have been an integral part of grand prix motor racing for over five decades, have been expected to be supplemented by lights on the dashboards of the competing cars but, in Singapore, will be supplemented by electronic trackside boards using technology similar to that used to guide pilots at major airports. Given the dark background expected at the race - despite the extensive floodlighting - the so-called ‘digiflags' will display the different flag colours more effectively than the flags themselves.
The system has been developed by the grand prix's technical consultants, Valerio Maioli SpA, and is the result of more than a decade of development at the Barcelona, Imola and Monza circuits in order to meet the stringent requirements of the
FIA.
Some 35 display panels will be situated around the Singapore street track, and will be controlled by hand by officials at each marshals' post, supplementing the traditional flag signals. In addition, the race director will have an overview of the warnings being displayed around the entire circuit, allowing more centralised, efficient communication of warnings to drivers.
The announcement of the new ‘digiflag' technology follows a successful week-long demonstration of the lighting units that will help to make history when Singapore hosts the 15th round of the season on the weekend of 28 September.
![Singapore lighting system [pic credit: Valerio Maioli SpA]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/390602.jpg)
