Pit stop

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523 practices a pit stop. Formula One Testing, Day One, Thursday 23rd February 2023. Sakhir, Bahrain.

A modern Formula 1 pit stop is a two-second explosion of choreography that changes four tyres, adjusts the front wing and, on rare occasions, repairs damage. It is one of the fastest pieces of teamwork in world sport, refined to a level where a tenth of a second matters, and the difference between a good and a bad stop can decide the race.

What is a pit stop in F1?

A pit stop is the moment during a race when a car enters the pit lane, stops in front of its garage, receives four fresh tyres, and returns to the race. Modern stops last around 2.0 to 2.5 seconds of stationary time and involve around 20 crew members working simultaneously. Refuelling has been banned since 2010, so pit stops are tyres-only, with occasional damage repair or front-wing adjustments.

The pit-stop crew

• Front and rear jack operators: lift the car within a hundredth of a second of it stopping;
• Four wheel-gun operators: one per tyre, releasing the wheel nut instantly;
• Four tyre-off / tyre-on pairs: one crew member removes the old tyre while another slots the new one into place;
• Front-wing adjusters: two crew members positioned to adjust the front wing angle if needed;
• Lollipop or light-system operator: tells the driver when to leave the box;
• Rear-stabiliser mechanic: holds the car steady during the stop.

Records and elite times

The current F1 world-record pit stop stands at 1.80 seconds, set by McLaren for Lando Norris at Qatar 2023. Sub-two-second stops are now a routine target for the top teams. The record time replaced Red Bull's previous 1.82 second stop from Brazil 2019, part of a decade-long arms race in pit-stop choreography.

Pit-stop safety

The FIA has repeatedly tightened rules around wheel-fastener sensors, minimum jack times, and driver release protocols after unsafe-release incidents. Every modern F1 car has multiple sensor confirmations that all four wheel nuts are fastened before the release signal is given. Failures still happen, but they are rare enough that a badly loose wheel is now front-page news for weeks.

Frequently asked questions about F1 pit stops

How long is a modern F1 pit stop?

Elite crews complete a four-tyre change in around 2.0 to 2.3 seconds stationary time. The world record stands at 1.80 seconds, set by McLaren at Qatar 2023.

Do F1 pit stops still involve refuelling?

No. Refuelling has been banned in F1 since 2010. Modern stops are tyre-only, with occasional damage repair or wing adjustments.

How many people work on an F1 pit stop?

Around 20 crew members work simultaneously on a full pit stop, including jack operators, wheel-gun operators, tyre carriers and front-wing adjusters.

Who holds the world record for the fastest F1 pit stop?

McLaren holds the current record with a 1.80-second stop for Lando Norris at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Why is pit-stop safety important?

Because a loose wheel can lead to a heavy accident. Modern cars use multiple sensor confirmations that all four wheel nuts are fastened before the driver is signalled to leave.