Why Haas F1’s VF-16 Car Sports A Reverse American Flag

Haas F1’s VF-16 sports a reverse American Flag on its right side air diffuser. Here’s why.

It’s been a couple of year’s since Formula 1 fans around the world has seen an American contingent on the starting grid, but thanks to HAAS F1, here we are. Some F1 fans are wondering why exactly the VF-16 sports a reverse American flag. According to official flag regulations of the United States of America, there is a logical explanation. Basically, any patch or sticker of an American flag must show the effect of a flag flying in the breeze. Check out what we’re talking about below.

UsFlag.org says,

More from Art of Gears

• 3 Reasons the 2024 Mazda CX-50 Is Among the Best Small SUVs
• The Jeep Renegade Is Discontinued: Here’s a Look at Its Legacy
• 2023 Nissan Armada: A Decent Full Size SUV With 1 Glaring Issue
• Best Minivans: 3 Options for Families With Solid Performance
• Here’s Why the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Is So Popular

"The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the American flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that “the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward."

This can be confusing for some countries as any variation of a flag flown in a configuration other than standard usually means a sign of distress, but such is not the case.

Here we see the American Flag on the right-hand side of the Space Shuttle endeavor in its correct configuration. You can imagine this space shuttle shooting up past the Earth’s atmosphere with that flag flapping in the wind. In space, wind (or the lack thereof) is a different story.

And as one person put it, “Make no mistake, this flag isn’t flying backwards it’s assaulting forwards.”

More cars: Haas F1 Completes Its First Practice Pit Stop With Their Show Car

So there you have it. You’d expect America’s foray into Formula 1 to sport a Red, White, and Blue livery with screaming Eagles on the side pods and spoilers. Thankfully, Haas F1 had something more conservative in mind.