Red Bull leads fastest pitstops table with help from Lasers

[John S]

They use light tech rig to help drivers line up front wheels. 

Some going by FIF1 and Team Lotus to get into 5th and 6th on the speed list.                     

In the 13 races to date Red Bull has had the fastest average stop on seven occasions, while Mercedes has been on top four times. Ferrari and McLaren have topped the pit stop time sheets only once each.

The level of discipline in this area is an interesting indicator of a team’s overall sharpness and ambition, as shown by the almost military precision of the Red Bull operation, with small green lasers placed in the boons above the pit box, shining the exact spot for the driver to place the front wheels for fastest engagement of the wheel guns.

Further down the field Force India is punching above its weight with the fifth fastest average pit stops, as is Lotus in sixth place, ahead of established teams Renault, Sauber, Williams and Toro Rosso.

F1 PIT STOP LEAGUE TABLE, Average stop time behind fastest
 1. Red Bull
 2. Mercedes – 0.13sec
 3. McLaren – 0.25sec
 4. Ferrari – 0.55sec
 5. Force India – 0.67sec
 6. Lotus – 0.9sec
 7. Renault – 0.91sec
 8. Sauber – 1 sec
 9. Williams – 1.15sec
 10. Toro Rosso – 1.24sec
 11. Virgin – 1.84sec
 12. HRT – 3.33sec

Thanks to Mercedes GP Petronas for the data

Extracts from page on Jamesallenonf1.com, 25th Sept.

[cosworth151]

It looks like they might be using the lasers to "motivate" the pit crew, too!   

[lkjohnson1950]

That explains a lot. Seb is a Jedi; he is using the Force on Lewis.

[John S]

That explains a lot. Seb is a Jedi; he is using the Force on Lewis.

      I like it Lonny.

[David]

Surprised to see Ferrari so far up the table, their stops haven't been great lately.