'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In 2011 Formula One season, pit stops have been discussed more than ever. With the highly degradable tyre compounds from Formula One’s tyre supplier Pirelli, pit crews are busiest in the history of the sport. The unpredictable tyre compounds have increased number of pit stops to a different high.
This season is proving why Formula one is not limited to drivers only, it is a team sport. During a race pit stops, along with race strategy, play a major role in team’s victory. With the refueling ban imposed at the end of 2009 season, pit stops have become more speedy and breath-taking. Now, pit stop work involves tyre changes, replacing damaged parts and adjusting front wing in matter of seconds. Here is a look at number of pit stops in each grand prix so far..
Australian Grand Prix :
This year Australian grand prix had 46 pit stops with first stop coming in very first lap when Jaime Alguersuari pitted and the last came in lap 48 with Felipe Massa pitting for tyre change. Most of the drivers ended race with two stop strategy. In 2010, the Albert Park circuit has had only 28 pit stops.
Malaysian Grand Prix :
In Malaysian grand prix, at Sepang circuit, 59 pit stops were executed, with Adrian Sutil making the first pit stop of the race in lap 3 and Lewis Hamilton making last in lap 52. Most top finishers ended race with three stop strategy. In 2010 season Malaysian grand prix had 20 pit stops.
Chinese Grand Prix :
This season Chinese grand prix had lesser pit stops compared to record 67 pit stops in 2010 season. Jaime Alguersuari pitted in lap 9 to make first pit stop of race and Sergio Perez in lap 50 to make the last and 58th of the race. Most drivers ended race with three stop strategy.
Turkish Grand Prix :
This year Turkish grand prix had 82 pit stops, highest of season so far, and three times than last years 27 pit stops. Race’s first pit stop came in lap 1 with Sergio Perez pitting with damage on car and last came in lap 55 when Jaime Alguersuari pitted for tyre change. Most drivers completed the race with four stop strategy.
Spanish Grand Prix :
Spanish grand prix had 77 pit stops this season, touching all time high. Kamui Kobayashi pitted in lap 1 to make the first stop of the race and Rubens Barrichello in lap 54 for the last. While front runners did four stop race others seen with three stop strategy. In 2010 season Spanish grand prix had 28 pit stops.
Monaco Grand Prix :
Monaco grand prix had more than double pit stops than previous race, 43 pit stops. Miachel Schumacher made the first pit stop of the race in lap 12 and Nick Heidfeld in lap 69 for the last. Strategies was seen variable, as Vettel clinched the victory with one stop while many other completed the race with two and three stops. Monaco had 20 pit stops in 2010 season.
Canadian Grand Prix :
This year Canada has a few more pit stops than previous race, 76 pit stops. Jenson Button made the first pit stop of the race in lap 8 and Pastor Maldonado last in lap 61. Top finishers ended race with three stops, mid-field with four stops and some with two stop strategy. Canada had 61 pit stops in 2010.
European Grand Prix :
European grand prix had 65 pit stops with Pastor Maldonado making first stop in lap 10 and Jenson Button making last stop of the race in lap 48. Most drivers ended race with three stop strategy. In 2010 European grand prix had 29 pit stops.
Total number of pit stops this season so far: 506
Pit Stop work explanation :
The car is guided into its pit by the lollypop man, named for the distinctive shape of the long stop/ first gear sign he holds in front of the car. The car stops in a precise position and is immediately jacked up front and rear. Three mechanics are involved in changing a wheel, one removing and refitting the nut with a high-speed airgun, one removing the old wheel and one fitting the new one. Other mechanics may make other adjustments during the stop. Some changes can be carried out very quickly – such as altering the angle of the wings front and rear, to increase or decrease downforce levels. Other tasks, such as the replacement of damaged bodywork, will typically take longer – although front nose cones, the most frequently broken components, are designed with quick changes in mind.
On tracks with debris or rubbish you often see mechanics removing this from the car’s air intakes during a stop, ensuring radiator efficiency is not compromised. And there is always a mechanic on stand-by at the back of the car with a power-operated engine starter, ready for instant use if the car stalls. When they have finished their work the mechanics step back and raise their hands. It is the responsibility of the lollypop man to control the car’s departure from the pit, ensuring no other cars are passing in the pit lane, though some teams now use semi-automated traffic light systems instead of the lollipop. Such is the skill of mechanics that routine tyre stops can be over in well under five seconds.
(Explanatory image courtesy F1Technical and Formula one, with refueling permitted during pit stops till 2009 season)
