The Canadian Grand Prix returns this weekend, but the chaos that overshadowed the 2018 race remains etched in infamy. The Montreal-based event will stage the fifth race in the F1 calendar this season, with Kimi Antonelli aiming to extend his advantage at the summit of the drivers' standings over Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
However, the prestigious Canadian race was tarnished eight years ago when the chequered flag was mistakenly waved prematurely by renowned fashion model Winnie Harlow. The early waving of the flag triggered bewilderment and pandemonium on the circuit, leaving F1 officials frantically seeking a resolution.
Flag waving has been a cherished tradition for numerous celebrities over the years, with football legend David Beckham, tennis champion Serena Williams and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland all enjoying their moment in the limelight. Yet, nobody has left quite the mark that the America's Next Top Model star did in May 2018.
The Canadian model, now 31, notoriously carved her name into F1 history at the race after being entrusted with the responsibility of concluding the 70-lap race. The Victoria's Secret star became embroiled in a monumental communication mishap, which resulted in her waving the chequered flag on lap 69 - one lap sooner than the event was scheduled to finish.
Pandemonium broke out as F1 star Sebastian Vettel, who was just about to begin his actual final lap at the Grand Prix, radioed his team in bewilderment, urging them to get the flag down while he thundered around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the genuine last lap.
Fortunately, Harlow then got it right, waving the flag at the correct moment as Vettel roared past to seal the victory. The F1 hierarchy were understandably anxious, mindful that, according to Sporting Regulation 43.2, a premature flag could distort the race results by freezing the final positions at the moment it was displayed.
No changes occurred in the standings on the last lap, sparing Harlow and the officials any further embarrassment. Vettel, speaking after the race, admitted the blunder had left him rattled.
"Some of the marshals were already celebrating," he said. "I was just worried that people wouldn't jump on the track and start celebrating. We're still going at full pace."
Following the race, Harlow took to Instagram to clarify the mix-up to her followers, revealing she had been instructed to wave the chequered flag a lap too early. "WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO WAVE THE FLAG A LAP TOO EARLY! You had one job sir!!! Hahaha but so grateful everyone was safe today and no one got hurt from this," she posted.
The late FIA race director Charlie Whiting subsequently confirmed the error was not Harlow's doing, stating: "She was given the order too early. So it's not her fault."
He explained that a local Montreal official had enquired whether the race was on its final lap, but, owing to a miscommunication, this was interpreted as a statement rather than a question, prompting the premature signal for the end of the race.
Ross Brawn, F1 managing director, also came to Harlow's defence, adding: "Winnie simply followed the instructions she was given and I want to apologise for the grief she received and thank her for supporting Formula 1."
Harlow is far from the only person to have been involved in flag-waving mishaps. Football icon Pele also made headlines at the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix when he failed to wave the flag for Michael Schumacher's finish after turning to face the wrong direction.
This year's Canadian Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday May 24, with the 70-lap race kicking off at 9pm UK time.
