Why motorsports in British Isles utilizing Union Jack UK flag rather than subcountries flags?

[theriusDR3]

In football sport, the British Isles sub-countries utilizing separated sub-country teams (e.g. England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland) while in motor racing sports, all UK sub-countries are utilizing Union Jack rather than England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland flags

Your reasons?

[Red Rock Mutley]

It depends on the sports governing body. Some recognise the nations as separate identities, while others recognise the UK as a whole. In motorsport that recognition comes via membership of the FIA, and Motorsport UK is our sole national sporting authority (ASN). So, the flag behind our winners is the national flag of the United Kingdom......but many will have their nation's flag on their clothing

[GSBellew]

In football sport, the British Isles sub-countries utilizing separated sub-country teams (e.g. England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland) while in motor racing sports, all UK sub-countries are utilizing Union Jack rather than England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland flags

Your reasons?

Northern Ireland does not have a flag of its own, so they are screwed and have to use the union jack either way.

They compete in Football as Northern Ireland as they have their own football association (IFA / Irish Football Association) which was an all island football association that predated the partition of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales all have their own Football associations so they also compete as separate nations in terms of football.

The Union Jack is a composite of the English & Scottish flags along with the Saint Patrick's Satire for Ireland, Wales doesn't feature in it, same as they do not feature on the royal standard flag, which oddly still is the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland with an extra England thrown in because they must not be arsed with sticking the Welsh in, but funny enough still keep the Irish bit ! Ireland being the Ryanair logo, the gold harp on a blue background which is the coat of arms of the ancient kingdom of Ireland.

So a driver from England has his flag (St Georges Cross) in the Union Jack, a Scottish driver has his (St Andrews Cross) a Northern Irish driver has the St Patricks Satire as the closest to a flag.

[CMSMJ1]

In football sport, the British Isles sub-countries utilizing separated sub-country teams (e.g. England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland) while in motor racing sports, all UK sub-countries are utilizing Union Jack rather than England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey and Northern Ireland flags

Your reasons?

Northern Ireland does not have a flag of its own, so they are screwed and have to use the union jack either way.

They compete in Football as Northern Ireland as they have their own football association (IFA / Irish Football Association) which was an all island football association that predated the partition of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales all have their own Football associations so they also compete as separate nations in terms of football.

The Union Jack is a composite of the English & Scottish flags along with the Saint Patrick's Satire for Ireland, Wales doesn't feature in it, same as they do not feature on the royal standard flag, which oddly still is the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland with an extra England thrown in because they must not be arsed with sticking the Welsh in, but funny enough still keep the Irish bit ! Ireland being the Ryanair logo, the gold harp on a blue background which is the coat of arms of the ancient kingdom of Ireland.

So a driver from England has his flag (St Georges Cross) in the Union Jack, a Scottish driver has his (St Andrews Cross) a Northern Irish driver has the St Patricks Satire as the closest to a flag.

Wales is a principality and not a kingdom which is why it didn't get a place on the fish. It was subsumed into the administration of England rather than joined it in Union.

WSBK you have Jonathan Rea who uses the Union Flag and Eugene Laverty who uses the Irish flag.

Both are from Northern Ireland but can choose their national racing authority which gives the racing nationality.

Eugene has racing brothers who race on UK licences!

[jjn9128]

I think it's because when we invented football and rugby etc the only people we had to play against were ourselves So when the rest of the world caught on they had no choice but to allow the various national football associations which had been formed to compete.

[JordanMugen]

The different flags are used in Association Football as a courtesy since Association Football was invented in England and is an English sport.

The English Premier League and Football Association Cup are distinct English competitions not involving Scotland or Wales.

For F1 or the Olympics, they compete under the official country which is the United Kingdom (not to be confused with Great Britain that doesn't include Northern Ireland, where Great Britain like England, Scotland or Wales is also not a standard legally recognised country).

The UK is also seperated as four countries or nations in the other offshot of Cambridge football, namely Rugby Football from which American Football derives in return.

Meanwhile Australian Rules football is an offshot of Cambridge football as brought to Australia BEFORE Association Football and Rugby separated, which is why it includes elements of BOTH of those more modern football rule sets!

I think it's very interesting that most of the major types of football share a common origin, and hence why they can all be called football even if some forms, particularly Rugby and Grid Iron aka American Football, have kicking with the feet as a relatively minor component of the game.

(I'm unsure of the origins of Celtic Football.)

Likewise the UK competes as four nations in cricket and the Commonwealth Games. Quite frankly if the UK did not compete as four nations in the Cricket World Cup, Rugby Football World Cup or Commonwealth Games then there would be a distinct shortage of competitors!