Ferrari’s pit crew outshines Mercedes: The one area where Maranello still leads F1. Ferrari’s pit crew leads the 2026 Formula 1 pit stop standings.

The best, once again

Ferrari 98 points, Mercedes 62. That is the current standings after three Grands Prix. No, we have not suddenly fallen into a parallel universe in which the Scuderia from Maranello has nailed the perfect car at the start of the new regulatory cycle, nor are we inside a “bugged” video game where the SF-26 has been artificially boosted compared to the Mercedes W17. This ranking is real and it does concern Formula 1—but it is the pit stop standings.

Ferrari’s mechanics are once again confirming themselves as the fastest crew on the grid at the start of the 2026 season. After successfully ending Red Bull’s eight-year dominance in 2025, the men in red have continued to deliver exceptional performances in the pit lane, showcasing consistency, precision, and raw speed.

Across the Grands Prix in Australia, China, and Japan, five of the seven fastest pit stops have been executed by Ferrari. The Italian team has managed to revive memories of the early 2000s, when Ferrari’s pit stop efficiency was a key factor behind the dominant era of Michael Schumacher. Back then, lightning-fast tire changes were often decisive in securing victories, and today’s Ferrari crew appears to be bringing that legacy back to life.

In the final race before the enforced spring break, held at Suzuka, Ferrari’s mechanics delivered what are currently the two fastest pit stops of the 2026 season. Charles Leclerc’s car was serviced in just 2.13 seconds, while Lewis Hamilton’s stop was even more impressive at a clean 2.00 seconds flat. The latter is nearly two tenths faster than the quickest pit stop recorded by Mercedes so far this season, underlining Ferrari’s advantage in this specific area.

While the paddock awaits official decisions regarding the ADUO system, the expected upgrades for the SF-26, and any potential regulatory adjustments, there is already one area where Ferrari is clearly winning. It is not yet on track in terms of outright race pace—but in the pit lane, Ferrari is setting the benchmark once again.

Ferrari’s success in the pit lane therefore highlights a team that has optimized its operational procedures to a near-perfect level. While the power unit and chassis continue to be works in progress under the 2026 rules, the mechanics have shown that human performance can still provide a decisive edge. If the upcoming technical updates can bring the car’s on-track pace in line with the crew’s pit-lane speed, the Scuderia could become a formidable threat in the second half of the season.