Racing

Drivers in the Formula One race are required to make pit stops. The purpose of this pit stop is to refuel and change the tires. Making sure that they do not slow down throughout the end of the race. If it is needed some teams will adjust the front and rear wigs and might perform small repairs. They must do all of this as fast as they can.

It lasts for six to twelve seconds depending on how much fuel is put into the car. However, if there is a problem, such as a fuel pump failing or the engine stalling, or repairs having to be made, it can take much longer. Cars are fuelled at a rate of more than 12 litres per second. This is accomplished by a fairly complex closed system that pumps air out of the car’s fuel tank as the fuel is being pumped in.

In a Formula One pit stop, the team’s pit crew will set up fresh tires and all needed pit equipment when the car is approximately one lap away from making its stop. Because of the overhead fuel and pneumatic rig, the team may have all pit mechanics in position prior to the car’s arrival, with the exception of the rear jack man.

The typical Formula One pit crew is made up of quite a few people who work together to get things done. The “Lollipop Man” holds the team’s pit sign, helping the driver identify his pit stall on a possibly crowded pit road. During the stop, he holds the sign in position to remind the driver to keep his brakes on while tires are being changed, and then to remember to put the car in first gear once the jacks are lowered. He also gives the driver the sign to depart his pit stall by raising the sign from in front of the driver.

The four tire changers, one at each corner of the car, have the sole responsibility of using a pneumatic wrench to remove the car’s single locking lug nut from each tire, then reinstall it on the new tire. Eight tire carriers are used, two at each corner of the car, one assigned the task of removing the old tire from the car, and one to install the new tire on it. The front new tire carriers also have the responsibility of adjusting the car’s front wing during the stop.

The fuel man has the responsibility of attaching and removing the refuelling hose to the car’s fuel recepticle, and must hold it in place during the entire fuelling operation. The front and rear jack men use simple lever-type jacks to lift the car and permit the changing of tires. The job of front jack man is considered the most hazardous, as it requires standing directly in front of the car as it enters its pit stall. By contrast, due to the location of his duties directly behind the car, the rear jack man is the only team member not in his working position before the car enters its pit stall.

The fire extinguisher man does not actually work on the car; instead, he stands ready with a hand-held fire extinguisher to try and stop any accidental fires that may occur during a stop, at least long enough for the pit crew and driver to evacuate. This job became standard following Jos Verstappen’s 1994 pit fire. The starter man does not normally work on the car. His job is to stand ready with a starter tool to restart the car should the driver stall his engine during the stop.

Interestingly, unlike almost all other forms of racing that feature routine pit stops, Formula One rules limit teams to a single pit crew for the mandatory two cars entered. Therefore, teams must stagger their pit schedules so that only one of their two cars is in the pits at any given time. All other racing series that feature routine pit stops permit each car its own pit stall and crew.