Ferrari wins in pit stops: the numbers that made the Maranello mechanics unbeatable
Ferrari has claimed a title… that of pit stops. A victory that, even in a season lacking sporting satisfaction, reflects the progress made, establishing the team as a benchmark for consistency. Ferrari is the only team boasting an average below 2.5 seconds and the fewest errors, a level of growth worth celebrating.
In a season that was supposed to bring the championship back to Maranello, Ferrari fell short due to several issues identified early in the year, which ultimately affected the championship and even led to the early halt of development. But even in the darkest moments, there is something to learn and a foundation on which to build future success.
One of these elements is the solid performance of Ferrari’s mechanics during pit stops, earning them the award established by one of Formula 1’s sponsors for the most efficient and consistent team in pit lane. This ranking doesn’t only reward speed but also consistency—a factor that has been key to Ferrari’s success.
It may be a small consolation compared to pre-season objectives, but it’s important to remember that world championships aren’t won on a single strength. Success requires top performance across multiple areas, highlighting the growth of a team that has now become a reference in this domain and deserves recognition.
Consistency over speed: the true measure of success
The challenge lies in execution speed, but speed alone isn’t enough. The true value is in consistency: not just performing the fastest pit stop once, but repeating it reliably across every race and throughout the season. In this regard, McLaren serves as a notable example, achieving the three fastest pit stops of the year, including one at just 1.91 seconds.
Exceptional times, with three stops under two seconds, demonstrate Woking’s commitment to pushing limits. However, raw speed must be paired with consistency, which sometimes fell short. Multiple errors with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, particularly in the second half of the season, fueled some controversies.
Ferrari’s pit stop data and performance
Analyzing the data, excluding stops affected by penalties or unusual circumstances—such as in Qatar, when all teams pitted simultaneously—Ferrari recorded an average of 2.4 seconds per pit stop. This keeps them below the 2.5-second target set as a benchmark by teams.
Over the season, Ferrari’s pit crew exceeded three seconds only eight times out of roughly sixty stops. This is significant, as three seconds represents the optimal maximum, not only for speed but also for strategic impact.
This consistency also shows in the fastest stops of the year. In the top ten pit stops, Ferrari appears three times, on par with McLaren and Red Bull. Ferrari’s top stops—each clocked at 2.0 seconds—occurred in Monaco, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi.
Investments and preparation behind Ferrari’s success
Ferrari’s pit stop consistency is the result of targeted investments aimed at closing the gap with rivals. Since 2023, the team has introduced next-generation wheel guns with LED strips for monitoring nut removal and tightening, and the crew completes over a thousand practice drills during the winter break. Sensor data allows engineers to analyze every stage of the stop, ensuring that each mechanic is prepared for rotations and role changes. This year, Ferrari ended with 559 points, only ten shy of Red Bull’s 2024 record, despite having two extra races.
Comparatively, McLaren achieved an average of roughly 2.8 seconds per pit stop, remaining under the critical limit. However, numerous errors—27 stops exceeding three seconds, excluding penalties—highlight the challenge. For Ferrari, only eight stops surpassed three seconds.
Mercedes’ average pit stop time was about 2.71 seconds, while Red Bull’s rose to 3.10. For the Milton Keynes team, many mistakes during the season, including stops exceeding ten seconds on some occasions, heavily affected the average.
It’s the kind of relentless attention to detail that turned a traditional weak point into genuine strength – proof that even in a disappointing year, Maranello can still set the standard in something. The mechanics might not have a drivers’ trophy to polish, but they head into the winter as undisputed 2025 pit-stop champions.
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