Technology
Pit Stop Perfection: The Two-Second Ballet
Go behind the scenes of the F1 pit crew, where 20 people must work in perfect synchronization to change four tires in under two seconds.
In a sport won by fractions of a second, the pit stop is the ultimate team effort. While the driver sits still, 20 mechanics perform a choreographed routine that often lasts less than 2.0 seconds.
The Roles
- The Gunmen: Use high-torque pneumatic wheel guns to remove and tighten the single center-lock nut.
- The Jackmen: Lift the front and rear of the car manually using specialized levers.
- The Lollipop Man: (Now usually an automated light system) signals when it is safe for the driver to release.
The current world record is held by McLaren, with a blistering 1.80-second stationary time set at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.
