A tire change is one of the most delicate phases of a race, where crucial tenths of a second can be gained or lost, significantly impacting the result. For this reason, all team members must adhere to strict procedures. Here is an analysis of the actions drivers take during a pit stop, observed through an onboard of Charles Leclerc.
Entering the pit lane
A couple of corners before entering the pit lane during the in-lap, Charles Leclerc’s race engineer asks, “Flap update when you can.” This refers to adjusting the front wing flaps during the pit stop to tweak the car’s aerodynamic balance, addressing issues like understeer or oversteer. Sometimes this adjustment is suggested by the team in response to changing conditions or the grip of new tires, but often it’s the driver who decides based on their feel for the car.
Charles Leclerc responds, “Ok!” indicating no adjustments are needed, and the pit wall proceeds with the call: “Copy. Box now, box.”
Approaching the pit lane entry, Leclerc confirms the call both verbally, repeating “Box” on the radio, and by pressing the “Pit confirm” button on the steering wheel. This procedure ensures there are no errors caused by miscommunication.
Upon reaching the line marking the start of the 80 km/h (or 60 km/h at some circuits) speed limit in the pit lane, Leclerc slows down and presses the “Pit limiter” button. This ensures that, even with maximum acceleration, he won’t exceed the limit. The LEDs on the steering wheel, typically showing engine RPMs, switch to display speed, lighting up from the edges toward the center as the limit is reached.
During the pit stop
Upon arriving at his team’s pit box, Charles Leclerc shifts down to first gear and engages the clutch lever. It’s crucial to stop the car in the exact position to avoid forcing mechanics to adjust, losing valuable time.
While the tires are being changed, it’s essential for the driver to keep the brake pedal pressed to prevent the rear wheels from rotating, which could disrupt or even endanger the mechanics. At the same time, Leclerc begins to gently apply the throttle to be ready to launch as soon as the green light is given. This allows him to release the clutch and accelerate immediately, avoiding anti-stall.
The signal for the driver to go is given via a traffic light system with two indicators: red and green. The red light instructs the driver to keep the brake and clutch engaged, while the green light signals that they can release both and drive off. The green light activates only after all the mechanics have confirmed their task is complete by pressing a button on their wheel gun.
Exiting the pit lane
After launching, Charles Leclerc shifts into second gear. On pit lanes with an 80 km/h limit, all drivers use second gear, while on those with a 60 km/h limit, most prefer first gear for better acceleration.
Upon reaching the line marking the end of the speed limit, Charles Leclerc prepares to press the “Pit limiter” button again to disable the limiter and rejoin the race.
Source: f1ingenerale
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