A few simple pit stop questions

[mush]

I'm new to motorsports, especially F1. But I've been watching some of this season, and I'm starting to love it. Because I'm new I have several questions. Not to go crazy, I'll start with the pit stop.

What is main goals to have happen at a pit stop? Is pretty much just refilling and exchanging tires?
What's the average time spent in the pits? What's a good time?
What is the most common mistake a driver should be aware of before driving off? Dangers?

Thanks and I look forward to hear your responses.

[wesley123]

"What is main goals to have happen at a pit stop? Is pretty much just refilling and exchanging tires?"

No refueling, that isnt allowed in a race. They only exchange tires, and sometimes do a quick front wing adjustment.


"What's the average time spent in the pits? What's a good time?"

Quickest was 2.5seconds I believe, a good time is around 3,0 seconds I guess.


"What is the most common mistake a driver should be aware of before driving off? Dangers?"

Cold tires mostly

[mush]

Thanks wesley123, I didn't know refueling wasn't allowed. Is there a reason for this? Is this common in most motorsports or does F1 just not allow it?

What's the danger in cold tires?

[Matt Somers]

The record currently stands at 2.05 seconds from Red Bull, I was up at their OPENHOUSE event 2 weeks ago and Jonathon Wheatley says they have done well under a 2 second stop in the race bays using their test rig/car. The problem however is rectifying that in race conditions when other factors come into play like the speed the car enters (which they cannot replicate. although their test car/rig is powered by an electric engine) track temperature, brake temps etc etc. The other problem is the human element (Pressure), one of the great things about the day at Red Bull was their Pit Stop challenge which had us put into teams of 3, one to take off the wheel, one to operate the gun and one to put another wheel back on.

I can tell you now, you just feel the seconds sliding away, our teams quickest stop of the day was 7.41 seconds whilst the quickest overall was 6.83. You feel it getting quicker and quicker, until a mistake creeps in, I was always on the gun and at one attempt the nut came out of the gun, I had to collect my thoughts (amazing how something unexpected like that throws you) and the nut, put it back in the gun and fire it on. That stop was still only 11 odd seconds.

[marcush.]

why would it be impossible to have the car at temperature ad eetering the pit bay at correct speed and decel?

They feel it´s not worth the expense that´s a different story.

Quite interestingly for me is the fact that teams do not concentrate more on eliminatig things that can go wrong during a stop or in unexpected circumstances .

Rarely brilliant stops gain positions or win races but almost inevitably doged stops cost dearly as a 5-10 second loss is probaly the difference between a podium and maybe not eve grabbing a point .

And the nature of Formula 1 is just that -so many things ca go wrong...I cannot remember a race where not at least one pit stop went wrong or a race without front wing parts shedding ...

[langwadt]

Thanks wesley123, I didn't know refueling wasn't allowed. Is there a reason for this? Is this common in most motorsports or does F1 just not allow it?

What's the danger in cold tires?

Refueling is banned for safety reasons and cost, at times it has been allowed F1
Some racing series need it, you can't run Le mans with out refueling

Cold tires have less grip, so the driver leave a bit or margin until they are fully up to working temperature
probably a much bigger issue in the racing series where tire warmers are banned

[WhiteBlue]

There is also a political factor at work. If refuelling is banned you have to carry more fuel weight around. That makes it easier for the Federation to justify the weight of energy reclaim systems. I'm sure it has played a role in the decision.

[stefan_]

Maybe this too will help you to understand pit stops better.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wSFHyXdf40[/youtube]

[langwadt]

The record currently stands at 2.05 seconds from Red Bull, I was up at their OPENHOUSE event 2 weeks ago and Jonathon Wheatley says they have done well under a 2 second stop in the race bays using their test rig/car. The problem however is rectifying that in race conditions when other factors come into play like the speed the car enters (which they cannot replicate. although their test car/rig is powered by an electric engine) track temperature, brake temps etc etc. The other problem is the human element (Pressure), one of the great things about the day at Red Bull was their Pit Stop challenge which had us put into teams of 3, one to take off the wheel, one to operate the gun and one to put another wheel back on.

I can tell you now, you just feel the seconds sliding away, our teams quickest stop of the day was 7.41 seconds whilst the quickest overall was 6.83. You feel it getting quicker and quicker, until a mistake creeps in, I was always on the gun and at one attempt the nut came out of the gun, I had to collect my thoughts (amazing how something unexpected like that throws you) and the nut, put it back in the gun and fire it on. That stop was still only 11 odd seconds.

I saw an interview with a mechanic once, they basically train like athletes, analyzing video getting every single detail perfected etc. They move around to find the spot where each work the fastest depending on body type, left/right
strength etc.

Wasn't it last year that Mclaren quite a few times the fastest, but also the slowest pitstop? Trying to save 0.5 sec
by doing it so fast it takes 10sec every other time is a big gamble