Pit stops in Formula 1 are prime examples of how teamwork and coordination can achieve maximum success. In the twinkling of an eye, an orchestra of around 15 mechanics changes tires, front wings or adjusts the downforce and sends the car back on the track.
Formula 1 is a sport in which a few milliseconds can make the difference between victory and second place. Teams spend millions of dollars on research and development to get the slightest advantage on the track.
However, in order to enjoy their advantage on the track, the teams need to complete their pit stops as quickly and efficiently as possible.
How long does an average pit stop in Formula 1 last?
Formula 1 has banned refueling in the pits since the 2010 season. This means that all cars should have enough fuel to last a full length of Grand Prix. With pit stops since 2010, the teams only have to change tires and the front wing if necessary. For this reason, the average pit stop times have been drastically reduced over the past ten years.
An average Formula 1 pit stop takes between 2 and 2.5 seconds to stand in the pit lane. This figure does not include the time it takes for cars to enter and exit the pit lane. The total time for a Formula 1 pit stop is 20 to 25 seconds, depending on the length of the pit lane.
What is the fastest pit stop in Formula 1 history?
The fastest pit stop ever recorded in Formula 1 history was the Red Bull Racing 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen pitted on lap 21 and the Red Bull crew changed all four tires in just 1.82 seconds, which is the fastest ever pit stop in Formula 1.
The previous record also belonged to Red Bull. It also came during the 2019 season when they completed a pit stop in 1.88 seconds at the German Grand Prix.
Red Bull is rightly considered the master of the pit stop. In the 2020 season, the team recorded the fastest pit stops in 15 of 17 races.
Since 2015, Formula 1 has given the fastest pit stops in every race an unofficial award called the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award. The award was won by Red Bull over the past three seasons. In 2020, Red Bull scored 555 points in 17 races, while runner-up Williams received just 264 points.
The winners of the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Awards are:
2015: Ferrari
2016: Williams
2017: Mercedes
2018: Red Bull
2019: Red Bull
2020: Red Bull
Pit stops could play a decisive role in the upcoming championship battle between Red Bull and Mercedes. Races are often decided by pit strategy and the energy drink company will try to maximize its advantage over the reigning champions.
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