FIA to review checkered flag procedure after Montreal gaffe

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Formula 1 and the FIA will review their race procedures after a mishap led to celebrity Winnie Harlow waving the checkered flag a lap too soon.

The blunder had no impact on the Canadian Grand Prix's results and Harlow was exonerated from any responsibility, but the premature move triggered an article in the sporting code stating that final results are to be based on drivers' positions at the end of the lap preceding the untimely waving of the flag.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting put the mistake down to a miscommunication between the event's official starter and an official in the starter's tower.

Checkered flag fiasco 'not my fault' says Winnie Harlow

"It was a miscommunication between the start platform and the guy they call the starter here," said Whiting.

"He thought it was the last lap and asked them at the top to confirm it, they confirmed it. They thought he was making a statement when in fact he was asking a question!

"He told the flag waver to wave it a lap early. It was as simple as that, it wasn’t anything to do with the fact it was a celebrity flag waver. The celebrity was not to blame."

Race winner Sebastian Vettel actually spotted the mistake on one of the circuit's big screens while cruising around in the final laps of the race. He promptly radioed in to his team to point out the blunder.

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"Fortunately we had radio, fortunately I had the lap count in the car and the pitboard was accurate – but if you lose radio and maybe the pitboard is not there, then you back off," explained Vettel.

"I was just worried, I told them also on the last lap, then people don’t jump on the track, waving flags and celebrating, because we’re still going at full pace."

Fortunately, the mistake did not entail any consequences, but Whiting insisted the incident still warranted a proper review of current procedures.

"We need to review procedures and make sure we have a very simple procedure for every circuit," he added.

"We’re dealing with different human beings, different countries, different languages and it’s not always absolutely perfect.

"Of course we strive for perfection but fortunately there was no harm done as far as it affected the result."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.