GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Racing against the clock - 2011 pit stops analysed

Racing against the clock - 2011 pit stops analysed

The combination of DRS and Pirelli tyres has made 2011 a bumper year for the sport, but not just in terms of on-track passing manoeuvres. The characteristics of the Pirelli tyres, designed to improve the racing, have also seen the total number of pit stops rise steeply - so far, there have been an average of 58 stops per race. Slick pit work has always been important in Formula One racing, but the frequency with which the pit crews have been in action this year has brought both speed and consistency to the fore. Mercedes explain more…

Q: How many pit stops have there been so far in the 2011 season?

A: There have been 1013 trips through the pits in the 17 races so far this season. Of these, 25 were accounted for by penalties - 21 drive-through and four stop and go. This leaves the total number of pit stops in the 2011 season at 988.

Q: Which races saw the most number of pit stops, and which the fewest?

A: The races which featured the most pit stops were Hungary (85), Turkey (80) and Spain (77). The fewest stops were made in Italy (35), Monaco (41) and Australia (44).

Q: What has been the incidence of drive-through and stop-go penalties?

A: A total of 25 penalties have been served during the races this season: 21 drive-through penalties and four stop-go penalties. The stewards have imposed a total of 49 penalties during the season, including eight reprimands and two exclusions. The offence which has occurred most often is that of 'causing a collision', which has been penalised 12 times during the races.

Q: How is pit-stop speed measured?

A: Two separate factors can be evaluated when assessing pit stop speed: the 'wheel-stop' time, i.e. the time taken to change all four wheels from the point when the car reaches a standstill in the pits, and the total pit-lane time - i.e. the time between entering and leaving the speed-limited section of the pit lane. Teams measure wheel-stop times using in-house methods - and a stop below three seconds in race conditions is considered extremely competitive. The total pit-lane times are measured centrally, and therefore form the most reliable basis for comparison.

Q: Which team have recorded the fastest pit stops in 2011?

A: In 17 races, Red Bull have recorded the fastest individual stop on eight occasions. Mercedes have done so seven times (including in three of the last four races), and McLaren and Ferrari once each. However, in order to build a complete picture of pit stop speed, the average pit stop time is more representative. The team calculates this using a method that discounts repair stops, which require different procedures and are not therefore 'clean' tyre changes. Additionally, stops carried out under the safety car are ignored if pit-lane traffic significantly affected performance.

Q: Which team have completed the fastest stops on average this season?

A: Red Bull set the fastest average time of the weekend nine times (Malaysia, Turkey, Spain, Canada, Europe, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, India). Mercedes have done so five times (China, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Korea). McLaren have twice been fastest (Australia and Britain) and Force India once (Monaco). In 17 races, the fastest single stop and the fastest average stops have been set by the same team nine times. Using the average stop-time calculations, an overall league table can be drawn up, reflecting the consistency in speed of each team.

After 17 races, it stands as follows:

1= Red Bull - Best

1= Mercedes - Best

3 McLaren - + 0.3s

4 Force India - + 0.4s

5 Ferrari - + 0.5s

6 Renault - + 0.9s

7 Williams - + 1.1s

8= Lotus - + 1.3s

8= Sauber - + 1.3s

8= Toro Rosso - + 1.3s

11 Virgin - + 1.6s

12 HRT - + 3.2s

Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)