Why are F1 Pit Stops So Fast?

How fast is an F1 pit stop? In the blink of an eye, an Formula One team completes a 1.82 seconds pit stop. It's so fast, you won't even have time to react.

In a matter of seconds, the F1 team performs multiple tasks. They loosen bolts, remove old tires, and install new ones. All this, faster than a Tesla Plaid's 0-60mph launch. What makes them so quick?

A. Special Tools

Unlike regular car tires, F1 wheels have just one bolt.

The bolt tightens in the opposite direction of the wheel's rotation. As the car moves, it gets even tighter, so there's no risk of it coming loose.

Each team develops its own air gun to fasten and remove the bolt. It delivers over 500 Nm of torque in an instant, strong enough to lift a small car with ease.

B. Tacit Teamwork

When a driver hears ‘BOX BOX BOX’ over the radio, 18 specialists spring into a choreography perfected to millisecond precision. This isn't a pit stop – it's a Formula 1 flash mob where:

Two jack men lift the car while two stabilizers hold it steady. Four wheel gunners swiftly loosen and tighten the bolts as eight tire carriers remove the old tires and mount fresh ones. Two front wing man adjusts aerodynamic components based on radio instructions.

They are just like a perfect machine, quickly completing these jobs. Their speed and coordination determine the pace of the pit stop. Any mistake could change the race.

C. Driver Coordination

But it's not just that. To do it quickly and well, F1 teams need the drivers' precise control. When the radios are screaming, they need to slow down to the pit lane speed limit. The driver must aim for the guiding line and stop the car in the exact position. If it's not done properly, it could be like in the 2020 season with Stroll, when he injured the front jack man.

Every detail is key in the F1 pit stop. As in the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix, BMW Sauber's refueling failure caused Räikkönen's car to catch fire. This proves that every small mistake in the pit stop could lead to disaster. That's why F1 teams practice the pit stop process thousands of times. Even a 0.1-second mistake could cost the entire race.

Test Your Reaction Time:

• Start a stopwatch

• Read this sentence aloud: 'Red Bull's record is 1.82 seconds'

• If your stopwatch shows <2s, you're pit crew material!

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