US GP to use messages and light panels for Safety Car calls

At the 2026 United States Grand Prix, scheduled for 23–25 October, waved yellow flags and SC boards will not be used to signal a Safety Car deployment. The FIA Race Director’s competition notes say Race Control will send all competitors a “SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED” message and trackside light panels will display “SC”. The notes describe the procedure as a way to ensure consistent information for all competitors.

The withdrawal procedure is also spelled out. When the instruction is given to extinguish the Safety Car’s orange lights, all competitors will receive a “SAFETY CAR LIGHTS OFF” message. As the leader approaches the control line, a green light panel will be displayed there while the other trackside panels stop showing SC.

The notes also set out collective tests in FP1 and FP2. Race Control will send a “Low Grip Conditions” message after the last car has taken the chequered flag in each session. On the in-lap after their practice start in FP1 and second practice start in FP2, drivers are asked to briefly lift and quickly reapply the throttle at several points normally taken at full throttle. In FP1, they are also asked to slow to about 35 km/h through Turn 15 with the engine at idle, holding that speed for at least three seconds; Race Control will display double yellow flags in the area during the test.