Pitstops in Formula One can make or break a driver’s race – but are they required during Grand Prix, know all the rules, meaning and current record in F1 of a pit stop
Can the motorists’ race nonstop if they so desire?
A pitstop in F1 that lasts more than three seconds will be judged sluggish in 2022. That’s three seconds to stop the car, elevate it on jacks, remove the old tyres, replace them, tighten the nut, lower it to the ground, and release it.
F1 Pit Stop Rules And Meaning Explained, Record, Crew Salary And Speed Limit
In fact, it took you longer to read that than it did for a half-decent F1 pit staff to repair and re-start their driver. But, do they have to? Are pitstops required in Formula One races, and what happens if a driver fails to make one?
ARE PITSTOPS REQUIRED IN F1?
The FIA Sporting Regulations require drivers to make at least one pit stop during F1 races. Article 30.5 of the regulations addresses tyre consumption during racing weekends and specifies the parameters that must be satisfied.
According to Section M of Article 30.5:
Each driver must utilise at least two distinct specifications of dry-weather tyres during the race, unless he has used intermediate or wet-weather tyres. This implies that drivers must utilise two of the three dry Pirelli compounds available during a dry grand prix.
Drivers must add soft, medium, or hard tyres to their car at some time, even if it is only for a single lap, including under the safety car. Drivers may not have two different compounds of dry tyres on their vehicle at the same time.
If a driver does not follow this regulation and completes a non-stop dry race without making their necessary F1 pitstop, they will be penalised — unless the race cannot be restarted for any reason. In that situation, 30 seconds will be added to the elapsed race time of the driver.
WHEN DRIVERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE PITSTOPS
It is possible to utilise two types of dry tyres in an F1 race without committing a mistake.
When a race is red-flagged, drivers are allowed to change their tyres, therefore a driver may potentially change from soft to hard tyres while sitting in the pitlane behind the safety car.
When it rains, though, drivers in F1 are not required to perform their mandated pitstop. The obligation to use dry weather tyres is removed once the intermediate or wet tyre is installed.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon completed a non-stop race in the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix. He was the first driver since Mika Salo in the rainy 1997 Monaco Grand Prix to finish a race without pitting.
Red Bull Racing holds the current record for the fastest pit stop in F1 with a 1.82 second stop performed at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix on Max Verstappen.
| PERSONNEL | PER RACE | ANNUAL SALARY | RACE WINNING BONUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Chief | $10,000 | $1 Million | $5,000 |
| Refueling Person | $5,000 | $350,000 | $2,500 |
| Tyre Changers | $5,000 | $350,000 | $2,500 |
| Tyre Carriers | $3,500 | $270,000 | $2,500 |
| Jack Men | $3,000 | $150,000 | $500 |
| Wing Men | $3,000 | $150,000 | $500 |
| Stabilizer | $2,500 | $90,000 | $250 |
| Lollipop Man | $1,500 | $70,000 | $250 |
| Starter Man | $750 | $40,000 | $250 |
| Fire Extinguisher Man | $500 | $30,000 | $250 |