How to become an F1 Pit Crew member? All you need to know

For any motorsport fan, getting involved with an F1 team is a dream come true. If not a driver, being on a team in various roles, including that of an F1 pit crew member, becomes a big deal if one has a passion for speed and precision.

However, it's not easy to become a driver or a mechanic overnight, as it takes years of experience and practice to get into one of the elite teams in the most prominent form of Motorsports. In today's article, we will keep how to be a driver aside, and explore how one can become an F1 Pit Crew:

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Education and Skills

There is no specific degree required to become a Pit Crew. However, one needs to be aware and have a solid understanding of Motorsports and vehicle mechanics to apply for this role. Knowing mathematics, physics, and engineering helps the cause, as Motorsports is purely based on these subjects.

Interestingly, practical knowledge is more important than having a degree. One might have all the degrees in the world, but without firsthand experience in motorsport, he or she will not be fit to become a Pit Crew member. Therefore, a person can work at a local motor shop to gain firsthand experience.

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Physics Fitness

Fitness is extremely important if one has to become an F1 Pit Crew, and it's non-negotiable. An elite-level Pit Crew is very fit and has to do all the work that is very demanding, physically.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands with the Red RBPT for the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team, in the pit with the crew of engineers and mechanics team during the practice session ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Lenovo Hungarian Grand Prix - Source: Getty

The nature of the job requires the crew to move fast, have quick reflexes, strength, and agility. They need to go through rigorous and long hours of work, and have to work with tires, machines, and other equipment at an enormous pace.

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Pit Crew Experience

While education is vital to becoming a Pit Crew, training and experience are also important. One can start with the student race teams or by volunteering at the local race tracks. With this, a person can start to have practical knowledge about the work of a Pit Crew.

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Roles and Responsibilities

An F1 Pit Crew has various roles throughout the season. From carrying the tires, changing them, being the jackman, adjustments of the cars, to keeping the car running, there are multiple roles within the team.

Besides these, the crews must also be prepared to get the car back on track as soon as possible in case of any wrecks or collisions, and that too in minimal time. On top of that, the pit crews need to carry out pit stops as fast as possible to give the team and the drivers a befitting advantage.