How fast can pitstops get?

[Nando]

good idea,

[Caito]

I think the wheelguns account for a big amount of the time. You still have to change tires, but a magnetic wheelnut or something similar could improve pitstop times considerably-

[bhall]

i think that they could play around with the wheel gun and make it automatically change direction after the mechanic has stopped pressing the trigger to save some time...

What happens if he cross threads the nut?

EDIT: Then he'll be in a position to immediately try to take it off, dummy.

[PlatinumZealot]

Looks like Mclaren had started the guns waaay before the car is jacked up. And the wheel guy moves the wheel off while the nut is undoing. The as soon as the wheel clears the sprindle he drags it sideways from the spindle instead of away from it. mean-time the wheel gun guy is aiming for the new wheel. Wheel is slammed on at the same time the gun is engaged and started. And bam tyre change.

[bhall]

Tools of the trade.

You can see that wing adjustments are preloaded (top left), the rear jack is cued by lights (bottom left), and that every action is electronically monitored via a lighting system.

(Click to enlarge)

I ran into the following while looking for photos. What in the world was going on here? Suit cooling?

(Click to enlarge)

[Caito]

Due to the lines on their pants and jackets it actually seems like a cooling suit.

Given that refuelling was available and all mechanics had to use anti-flame suits, on hot races it seems like a good idea.

Now adays in hot races they wear shorts and tshirts.

[mike]

they should invent jacks that undo the wheel when its up and have a secondary system on the wheel to change it quicker and do them on quicker

[Cam]

Would magnetic locks be strong enough for the wheels. Switch off to hold, on to release. Nothing to undo, no guns required.

[Cam]

You can see that wing adjustments are preloaded (top left),

I don't fully see what's happening. Are you saying the jack is programming the car to make wing adjustments? Or is it actually turning or adjusting something when it touches the car?

If all those wing adjustments had servos that could be controlled, a simple swipe of a card (like a pay pass card) at the pit stop could tell the car what changes it needed. Or is that all done via remote anyway?

[bhall]

This ought to make it a bit more clear.

The number of turns for the adjustment are set on an electric wrench. All the mechanic has to do is pull the trigger until it stops.

[MrBlacky]

Absolutely amazing pitstop. How fast the McL boys remove the old tire.

I don't think we will see much faster pitstops in future.

[N12ck]

why don't they have side jacks aswell that slide in after the front jack goes up because if a pitstop goes incorrectly the guy at the front doesnt know, but the side people will, so they can keep the car jacked up if it all goes wrong,

[ESPImperium]

Ideally the wheel nut should be off before the car stops and the wheel off just as the car goes up and the new one on before the top of the reach of the jacks, then the nut replaced as the car is just about hit the deck again. All in chorus as well to sound as if only one jack was being operated.

I recon theres a sub 2 second pit stop going to be achived this year from McLaren or Mercedes as they are the fastest out there.

[Caito]

I'm thinking of a central jack, cable actuated that is already in place before the car arrives.

When the car arrives they actuate it, it lifts the whole car. As soon as they're done they release it. No guy in front, all the car gets a lift at the same time. Though I don't know if a pre positioned jack can be made to have less than 40mm or whatever is the ride height at the front.

[bhall]

why don't they have side jacks aswell that slide in after the front jack goes up because if a pitstop goes incorrectly the guy at the front doesnt know, but the side people will, so they can keep the car jacked up if it all goes wrong,