Pit lane

Lance Stroll driving the Aston Martin AMR22 in the pit lane in Canada

The pit lane is the narrow strip of tarmac running alongside the main straight where Formula 1 cars enter and exit the pits. It is governed by strict FIA rules on speed, safety, driver and crew conduct, and it is the only place on the circuit where a Grand Prix car legally moves at 80 km/h. Everything about the pit lane, from its painted lines to its safety personnel, is designed to prevent an incident that could injure a mechanic.

What is the pit lane in F1?

The pit lane is the road that runs from the pit entry, along the front of the team garages, to the pit exit that rejoins the racing surface. It is separated from the main straight by a wall on one side and the pit garages on the other. During sessions it is one of the busiest and most safety-critical spaces in the entire sport.

The pit-lane speed limit

The mandatory pit-lane speed limit is 80 km/h at most circuits and 60 km/h at certain tighter venues, notably Australia and Monaco. It is set by the Sporting Regulations and enforced by an electronic speed limiter every car must engage in the pit lane. Any driver who exceeds the limit receives a fine or, in the race, a five-second penalty or worse depending on how far above the limit they were.

Fast lane, working lane and safety zones

• Fast lane: the outer strip of the pit lane, closest to the main straight, used by cars in transit;
• Working lane: the inner strip, adjacent to the garages, where the pit-stop crew works;
• Pit exit safety zone: the marked area where cars accelerate back onto the racing surface;
• Pit lane safety car line: used to decide whether a driver is racing or committed to the pits during Safety Car deployments.

Pit-lane offences and penalties

Speeding in the pit lane is the most common offence. Others include releasing a car into the path of another (an "unsafe release"), leaving equipment behind after a stop, entering the pit lane after the entry is closed, and any physical contact between the car and any equipment or person that raises a safety concern. Penalties range from fines to drive-throughs to disqualification.

Frequently asked questions about the F1 pit lane

What is the pit lane in F1?

The pit lane is the road that runs alongside the main straight where cars enter and exit the pits. It is governed by strict speed limits and safety rules.

What is the pit-lane speed limit in F1?

80 km/h at most circuits, 60 km/h at tighter venues like Melbourne and Monaco. Every car must engage its speed limiter in the pit lane.

What are the fast lane and working lane?

The fast lane is the outer strip used by cars in transit. The working lane is the inner strip adjacent to the garages where the pit-stop crew works.

What is the penalty for speeding in the pit lane?

Fines during practice and qualifying, and typically a five-second time penalty or drive-through during a race, escalating for larger overspeeds.

What is an unsafe release?

An unsafe release is when the pit crew sends a car back onto the pit lane into the path of another car, or without a wheel fully attached. It carries a heavy penalty.