Installation Lap

Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the 2022 F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

An installation lap is a low-speed check lap at the start of a Formula 1 practice session, giving teams a first opportunity to confirm that everything on the car is working correctly. Drivers do not chase lap time; they gather data and return to the garage. The installation lap is the cheapest and most valuable single lap a team can run all weekend.

What is an installation lap in F1?

An installation lap is a slow, deliberate lap of the circuit at the beginning of a practice session, done specifically to check that the car's systems are functioning correctly before the driver starts pushing for lap time. It typically consists of an out-lap, one full-speed lap for basic system checks, and an in-lap back to the pit box.

What is checked on an installation lap

• power-unit temperatures, pressures and torque delivery;
• gearbox shift quality;
• brake balance and brake temperatures;
• steering feel and chassis balance;
• DRS actuation (until 2025) or active-aero switching (2026);
• telemetry channel integrity;
• fluid leaks and cooling flow;
• pit-lane speed limiter operation.

Why the installation lap matters

A modern F1 car is assembled around the start of a race weekend and has to work perfectly. An installation lap catches issues that only appear under load, before they become genuine reliability or safety problems in a flat-out lap.

When teams run installation laps

Every session starts with one. At a new-car test, teams may complete several installation laps before pushing. If a car has had significant work done between sessions, an installation lap is often mandatory to confirm the repair has held.

Frequently asked questions about installation laps

What is an installation lap in F1?

An installation lap is a low-speed check lap at the start of a practice session, run to confirm the car's systems are working correctly before the driver pushes for pace.

Why do teams do installation laps?

To catch mechanical, electrical and telemetry issues under load before they cause problems on a flat-out lap.

How fast is an installation lap?

Well below race pace. Drivers deliberately load the car gently on the first pass.

Do installation laps count toward tyre wear?

Yes. The FIA counts them toward the tyre allocation and lap-count limits for the session.

Are installation laps only for new cars?

No. Every session starts with one. After significant repair work between sessions, teams almost always add another.