F1 flags review after early end

Formula One is to review its procedures after the Canadian Grand Prix ended in confusion and embarrassment when a celebrity waved the chequered flag a lap too soon.

The gaffe did not affect the outcome of the race, which was won by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, but the German said he was left double-checking his lap counter while checking in with his pit before carrying on to run the full 70 laps.

“Fortunately we had radio,” Vettel said yesterday after notching his 50th career win.

The official results were later determined based on the 68th lap to avoid any impact the early flag might have had.