Parade lap

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A parade lap, also know as a formation lap, is a lap before an autoracing race begins, in which the drivers go around the track at a slow speed (usually between 30 and 70 MPH), and, in some cases, behind the safety car. The lap is to ensure that track conditions are safe, and that there are no dangerous problems with the cars (including the safety car) or the circuit. The parade lap either leads to a rolling start, or back to the grid.

The parade lap is best-known for its use in Formula One and other Formula sports. In Formula sports, the parade lap is often important as it allows the cars to warm up their tyres, which is crucial in order to be competitive during the race. Drivers will often attempt to warm up the tyres more quickly during the lap, by steering slowly from side to side.