F1 Pit Stop: Complete Guide to Formula 1 Pit Stops
Duration, crew, strategy and records of the fastest pit stops
Introduction
F1 Pit Stop: The Art of Changing 4 Tyres in Under 2 Seconds
The pit stop is one of the most spectacular moments in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. In under 2 seconds, over 20 mechanics execute a perfectly synchronized choreography to change all four tyres on a car traveling at over 80 km/h in the pit lane. The pit stop has become an art form where every millisecond counts and can make the difference between victory and defeat.
F1 teams practice hundreds of times per season to achieve perfection. A botched stop can cost several seconds, or even a position in the standings. This is why teams invest heavily in equipment, training and data analysis to optimize every aspect of the pit stop.
Anatomy of a Pit Stop: The 20 Mechanics and Their Roles
Each pit stop mobilizes a perfectly coordinated team. Here's the role of each member.
Schema of 20 mechanics positions during F1 pit stop
The Wheel Crews (4 x 3 people = 12)
For each wheel, three mechanics are assigned:
| Role | Function | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Gunman | Loosens and tightens the nut | Pneumatic gun |
| Tyre OFF | Removes the old tyre | Hands |
| Tyre ON | Places the new tyre | Hands |
Sequence: Gunman loosens → OFF removes → ON places → gunman tightens
The Support Crew (8 people)
| Role | Function |
|---|---|
| Front jack | Lifts the front of the car |
| Rear jack | Lifts the rear of the car |
| Front stabilizer | Keeps the car stable |
| Rear stabilizer | Keeps the car stable |
| Starter | Gives the release signal (green light) |
| Front wing (x2) | Adjust angle if needed |
| Fire marshal | Intervenes in case of fire |
Position Summary
| Position | Count | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Front left wheel crew | 3 | 3 |
| Front right wheel crew | 3 | 6 |
| Rear left wheel crew | 3 | 9 |
| Rear right wheel crew | 3 | 12 |
| Jackmen and stabilizers | 4 | 16 |
| Starter and wing | 3 | 19 |
| Fire marshal | 1 | 20 |
Timeline of a Perfect Pit Stop
A sub-2-second pit stop follows a precise sequence.
Timeline (in milliseconds)
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 0 ms | Car stops on the marks |
| 50 ms | Jacks lift the car |
| 100 ms | Gunmen start loosening |
| 300 ms | Nuts are loosened |
| 400 ms | Old tyres are removed |
| 600 ms | New tyres are placed |
| 800 ms | Nuts start being tightened |
| 1200 ms | Nuts are secured |
| 1400 ms | Gunmen raise their guns (OK signal) |
| 1600 ms | Starter checks all 4 green lights |
| 1800 ms | Front jack drops |
| 1900 ms | Car departs |
Absolute record: 1.80 seconds (Red Bull, 2019, Brazilian GP)
Visual Signals
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green light (per gunman) | Wheel secured |
| Red light (starter) | Problem detected |
| Arm raised (jack) | Car lifted |
| Arm lowered (front jack) | Release signal |
Pit Stop Equipment: Cutting-Edge Technology
Teams use highly specialized equipment.
The Wheel Gun
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Torque | ~680 Nm |
| Rotation speed | ~10,000 RPM |
| Weight | ~3 kg |
| Cost | ~$15,000 |
| Lifespan | ~2 seasons |
Feature: F1 wheel guns only turn in one direction (loosening or tightening depending on the wheel) to prevent errors.
The Jacks
| Type | Weight | Lift time |
|---|---|---|
| Front jack | ~15 kg | 0.2 seconds |
| Rear jack | ~18 kg | 0.3 seconds |
Design: Carbon fiber with lever mechanism for instant lifting.
Tyres and Nuts
| Element | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Central nut | Titanium-aluminum alloy |
| Nut weight | ~200g |
| Thread | Team-specific |
| Tyre retention | Anti-loosening system |
Pit Stop Strategies: Undercut, Overcut and Variants
The timing of a pit stop is crucial to race strategy.
The Undercut
Definition: Pitting before your rival to benefit from fresh tyres.
| Phase | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pit before rival |
| 2 | Exit with fresh tyres |
| 3 | Set fast laps |
| 4 | Emerge ahead when rival pits |
Effectiveness: +0.5 to 2 seconds gain per lap on fresh tyres
When to use:
- High degradation track
- Difficult to overtake
- Rival with worn tyres
The Overcut
Definition: Staying out longer than your rival.
| Advantage | Situation |
|---|---|
| Clean track | After rival passes |
| Tyres in window | If tyres hold up |
| Safety Car | Anticipating a neutralization |
Risk: Getting stuck in traffic after stopping
The Double Stack
Definition: Pitting both team cars one after the other.
| Total duration | ~4-5 seconds |
|---|---|
| Risk | Penalty for unsafe release |
| Advantage | Coordinated reaction (Safety Car) |
Pit Stop Records and Statistics
Fastest Pit Stops in History
| Rank | Time | Team | GP | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.80 s | Red Bull | Brazil | 2019 |
| 2 | 1.82 s | Red Bull | Great Britain | 2019 |
| 3 | 1.86 s | Williams | Austria | 2019 |
| 4 | 1.88 s | Red Bull | Germany | 2019 |
| 5 | 1.89 s | Red Bull | Brazil | 2019 |
Observation: Red Bull dominated the top 5 in 2019, the benchmark period before regulation changes.
Average Times by Team (2024)
| Team | Average Time | Standard Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bull | 2.2 s | ±0.2 s |
| McLaren | 2.3 s | ±0.3 s |
| Ferrari | 2.4 s | ±0.4 s |
| Mercedes | 2.4 s | ±0.3 s |
| Aston Martin | 2.5 s | ±0.4 s |
Evolution of Record Times
| Decade | Record | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | ~4 seconds | Including refueling |
| 2000s | ~3 seconds | Refueling banned (2010) |
| 2010s | ~2 seconds | Equipment optimization |
| 2020s | <2 seconds | Partial automation |
Pit Stop Errors: Causes and Consequences
Even the best teams make mistakes.
Common Error Types
| Error | Cause | Time Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel nut cross-threading | Misaligned nut | 3-10 seconds |
| Unsafe release | Departure before complete tightening | 5-10 s penalty |
| Wheel not on | Poorly positioned tyre | 5-15 seconds |
| Jack malfunction | Mechanical failure | 2-5 seconds |
| Wrong tyres | Communication error | 10+ seconds |
Famous Cases
Monaco 2016 (Red Bull - Ricciardo): Wrong tyres prepared, costing the victory.
Bahrain 2013 (Red Bull - Webber): Loose wheel, projected onto a cameraman.
Germany 2019 (Ferrari - Vettel): 5+ second stop under Safety Car, losing a potential victory.
Pit Stop Crew Training
Mechanics train intensively to achieve perfection.
Typical Training Program
| Frequency | Session |
|---|---|
| Daily | Individual exercises (30 min) |
| 3x/week | Full simulation (1h) |
| Before GP | Intensive sessions (2-3h) |
| During GP | Warm-up (15 min) |
Mechanic Selection Criteria
| Criterion | Importance |
|---|---|
| Reaction time | Critical |
| Physical strength | Important |
| Coordination | Critical |
| Stress resistance | Critical |
| F1 experience | Preferred |
Data Analysis
Teams use:
- Equipment sensors: Measuring times per phase
- High-speed cameras: Movement analysis
- Software: Simulation and optimization
- Biometrics: Individual performance tracking
Pit Stop Regulations
The FIA strictly regulates pit lane operations.
Main Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pit lane speed | 60-80 km/h depending on circuit |
| Number of mechanics | No limit (but ~20 optimal) |
| Automated equipment | Prohibited (semi-automatic OK) |
| Release signal | Must be manual |
| Unsafe release penalty | Minimum 5 seconds |
Recent Changes
2021: Minimum time between "car lifted" and "car ready" signals to prevent premature releases.
2022: Mandatory sensors on nuts to verify tightening.
The Future of F1 Pit Stops
Possible Innovations
| Innovation | Status |
|---|---|
| Automated changing | Prohibited (maintaining spectacle) |
| Self-inflating tyres | In development |
| AR for mechanics | Testing in progress |
| Real-time AI analysis | Used by some teams |
Budget Cap Impact
The $135 million budget cap limits investment in pit stop equipment. Teams must prioritize between:
- Car development
- Pit stop equipment
- Specialized mechanic salaries
FAQ: Formula 1 Pit Stops
Why doesn't F1 allow refueling anymore?
In-race refueling was banned in 2010 for safety reasons (fire risks) and cost. It also made races more strategic by forcing teams to manage fuel over the entire distance.
How much does a slow pit stop cost?
A 5-second pit stop instead of a 2-second one costs 3 real seconds. In a close race, this can mean several lost positions or even a missed podium. In financial terms, the loss can reach several million dollars (year-end bonuses tied to championship position).
Are the mechanics the same at every race?
Generally yes, pit stop crews are stable to maintain coordination. However, some teams rotate or have backups in case of injury. Each member knows their exact position and movements by heart.
Can you change car settings during a pit stop?
Allowed changes are limited: tyres, front wing angle (under certain conditions), cleaning. It's prohibited to modify mechanical setup, add fuel, or repair major damage (except for safety).
What is the longest pit stop in history?
The record for the longest pit stop probably belongs to Haas (2018, Australia) with over 40 technical hours - Kevin Magnussen had to retire after a loose wheel and the car stayed in the garage. In terms of "normal" pit stops, some have exceeded 30 seconds due to nut problems.
The pit stop is one of the key moments in an F1 race. To understand how it fits into overall strategy, check out our articles on tyre strategies and the Safety Car.
