Rare black flag shown at the Brazilian GP as F1 driver is disqualified for the first time in over a decade – F1

For the first time in over a decade a rare black flag has been handed out at the Brazilian Grand Prix, disqualifying a driver from the race.

After a dramatic sprint race on Saturday, the Brazilian GP set off in the wet conditions at the Autodromo José Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo

Heading into the race, all eyes were on Lando Norris and Max Verstappen as the two continue to battle it out at the top of the driver’s championship table.

However, perhaps the biggest moment of the race came for another driver, who became the first to be shown a black flag in over a decade.

After coming off the track on lap 28 due to the wet conditions, Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg had to be helped back onto the track by officials, breaking the rules and disqualifying him from the race.

A post on the Formula One official X account stated: “Nico Hulkenberg has been disqualified for being pushed back onto the track by race marshals after getting beached on a kerb on Lap 28.”

The black flag shown on Sunday is first one in since the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, when both Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella were disqualified from the race.

Both Massa and Fischella were disqualified on lap 51 of the race after they both left the pit lane while the red light was on earlier in the grand prix.

(Image: Getty)

After a disappointing qualifying session on Sunday morning, Hulkenberg started the race in 19th.

When he came off the track, the German driver still remained outside the top ten positions, and therefore was unlikely to earn any points from the race, meaning the disqualification will not have any impact on his season overall.

Hulkenberg became the fourth driver to fall foul of the wet conditions in Sao Paulo, after Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, Franco Colapinto, and later, Carlos Sainz were all ruled out of the race after coming off the track.

Therefore, it is fair to say that the weather had dramatic repercussions on the race and could massively impact the final standings, as it aided championship leader Max Verstappen as he made his way from 17th at the start up to first place in the final laps of the race.