Slower pit stops from Hungary
The FIA has decided to slow down pit stops starting from the Hungarian Grand Prix. The organization that manages Formula 1 made this decision based on safety regulations.
After receiving several complaints from certain teams regarding a possible automation above the regulations, the FIA will integrate a new directive to slow down pit stops. This will be implemented to ensure that the nuts will be properly tightened on the cars to guarantee the safety of the mechanics and the drivers.
According to the Formula 1 Technical Regulations, the sensors used during pit stops must operate passively. As of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the FIA will modify the pit stop procedures by incorporating a tolerance that takes into account human reaction times.
In the image of track and field competitions, F1 teams will have to respect, based on two criteria, a specific time set by the FIA during pit stops. Between the moment when the wheel nut is considered tightened and when the mechanic lifting the car is informed, the tolerance will be 0.15 seconds. Moreover, between the moment when the mechanic lowers the car and when the driver is given the authorization to resume, the tolerance will be two tenths of a second.
These tolerances were put in place after a calculation showing that a human cannot react any faster. By integrating this rule in Budapest, teams will then have three weeks to adjust their procedures and comply with the new regulatory rules.
