Behind the scenes at the pit stop: the roles of the 22 people involved in F1

Pit stops are a feature of Formula 1 racing, where a driver can either gain several seconds or lose considerable time.

Behind the roar of V8 engines and the blur of high-speed corners lies a meticulously timed ballet that determines whether a driver will take the lead or fall behind. In the world where everything is decided in a fraction of a second during an F1 pit stop, a team of up to twenty-two specialists works in perfect synchronization to change four tires, replace damaged wings, and get a car back on the track in just over two seconds. The choreography begins as soon as the pit wall shouts “Box, Box.” A radio signal reaches the driver, who must evaluate the call in relation to his current pace. If he accepts, he heads for the pit lane and aims for an extremely precise target point marked by a hand-held sign. This small clue tells the team the exact location where the car will be placed, allowing the mechanics to get to work without hesitation.

At the heart of the operation are the jackers, two men at the front and two at the rear, who lift and stabilize the chassis. At their side, two other technicians hold the car in place, preventing any swaying that could slow down the tire change. Then the tire team takes over: three people per wheel. One loosens the wheel nut with a pneumatic gun, a second removes the worn tire, and a third positions the new tire so that the gun operator can bolt it on. In total, at least fourteen hands are busy around the car at any given moment. Other roles complete the pit crew. Two other workers wedge the car's pontoons to limit its movement while the jacks are being operated. A starter operator waits behind the vehicle, ready to start the engine and prevent stalling when the car starts. Sometimes, a visor cleaner steps in after the race if the driver's protective visor is missing. These additional tasks bring the workforce to eighteen people.

When the front wing is damaged, the pit crew expands even further. Four crew members unscrew and remove the damaged wing, while two others carry and install a new wing, bringing the total to twenty-two people converging on the car in a matter of seconds.

Electronic assistance is deliberately limited. A green light above the cockpit indicates to the driver that he can leave, but it is triggered manually by a team member who must check that all four wheels are securely fastened and that the pit lane is clear. A few seasons ago, the light could be triggered automatically once the wheels were tightened; but this shortcut has been banned, adding a human check to an already very tight margin. Modern pit stops take around 2.2 seconds for a flawless tire change, but the average stop still takes around 20 seconds, depending on the track layout and the speed limits imposed by the FIA in the pit lane. Those seconds can be decisive. An “undercut” strategy involves a driver pitting earlier than the car in front, in the hope that new tires will save him enough time to come out ahead when his rival finally pits. Conversely, an “overcut” strategy involves keeping the driver on worn tires for longer, betting on a clear track to maintain his position, which is riskier given the sharp drop in performance between new and worn tires. Ultimately, every millisecond gained or lost in the pit lane is a testament to the human precision, split-second decision-making, and relentless pursuit of speed that characterize Formula 1.