Red Bull the fastest in pit stops, Ferrari the most consistent
As two-thirds of the Formula 1 championship have been completed, Red Bull seems to once again be the benchmark for pit stops this season. Ferrari, on the other hand, is showing great consistency.
A major issue in races, pit stops are meticulously prepared by the various teams on the grid. Although many strategies exist (single or multiple stops, tire selection, undercut or overcut…), it is important that they are well executed. These represent the opportunity for drivers to gain crucial tenths of a second on their opponents.
To highlight the teamwork that takes place during these tire changes, the FIA launched the “DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award” in 2015. Since 2017, points are distributed according to the same system as for the driver or constructor championships (25 points for first place, 18 for second place, 15 for third place…). It should be noted that only the fastest pit stop for each driver is taken into account at each race.
The domination of Red Bull, Ferrari rebels
If Ferrari, Williams and then Mercedes won the first three races, Red Bull took the six following ones. 2020 will notably have been without sharing since the Austrian team had signed the 15 fastest stops in 17 races. If the competition seems tougher this season, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s team are in a very favorable position to continue their harvest.
Red Bull has indeed made seven of the nine fastest pit stops of the year. This allows them to tally 429 points at this point in the championship, far ahead of Ferrari and its 263 units. But this gap of 166 points is to be contrasted because the Italian team shows remarkable consistency.
The average times for standard pit stops throughout the 2024 season, presented by @DHL_Motorsports 💪#F1 #MomentsThatDeliver pic.twitter.com/PlMnzmsnWt
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 8, 2024
Fred Vasseur’s mechanics are indeed operating at a formidable average of 2.59 seconds of pit stop time this season, just ahead of Red Bull (2.62s) and McLaren (2.77s). A real revival for the Reds after being somewhat criticized in recent years for their pit stops.
More competition during the last races
During the first 12 races of the season, Red Bull or Ferrari have always been the fastest in the pit lane (eight times for Red Bull, four for Ferrari). But they were eclipsed in the last four races. The latest team to have scored the 25 points: Alpine, thanks to Esteban Ocon’s lightning-fast pit stop at Monza in 2.01 seconds.
McLaren (Belgium) and Racing Bulls twice (Hungary and the Netherlands) also managed to inscribe their name on the honours list this season. However, it is worth noting Sauber’s sad performance, which averages 6.27 seconds of pit stop time, while stops with repairs are not counted and fueling has been banned in Formula 1 since 2010.
Watch some very quick work by @AlpineF1Team to deliver the DHL Fastest Pit Stop for @OconEsteban. #ItalianGP #F1 #DHLF1 pic.twitter.com/D1Uuta6pyW
— DHL_Motorsports (@DHL_Motorsports) September 3, 2024
