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formula one is dizzying and full of adrenaline, both for drivers and fans of this motorsport. however, drivers cannot win their races alone and need the help of a dedicated pit crew to back them up. these pit crew members, of whom there are normally twenty per team, must be at the top of their game during these races. If that sounds exciting to you, then maybe a career as a member of the F1 pit crew is for you.
Two of the most crucial factors in starting any career are education and experience. To become a member of the Formula One pit crew, you’ll need to have a solid foundation of automotive knowledge and you’ll need to complete a pit crew training course. Participating in local races and getting the right experience to complement your education is crucial.
If you are interested in a career as a member of the Formula 1 pit crew, this article is for you. We’ll take a look at the pit crew, what exactly the different members do in their roles, and how you can become one of them.
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what do the members of the formula 1 pit crew do?
When most people think of Formula 1, they usually think of the drivers. however, these drivers couldn’t win the grand prix without the help of the dedicated members of the pit crew. these members of the pit crew play a vital role in ensuring that these formula one drivers can get back on track, so to speak, as quickly as possible.
Those familiar with Formula 1 will know that drivers have not been allowed to refuel mid-race since 2010. In Formula 1 racing, each car starts the race with a full fuel load in order to pass the race. this regulation was put in place to save on certain costs and increase the safety of those involved, from drivers to pit crew members.
Due to this change in f1 regulations, the duties performed by the pit crew have changed slightly over the last decade to accommodate this new refueling guideline. a pit crew member no longer needs to refuel a driver’s tank during a race; so what does the pit crew do now during a 2021 f1 race?
A general summary of each pit crew’s responsibilities is to service the driver’s vehicle as quickly as possible. Due to time constraints, multiple members of each pit crew are required to perform these services. one of its most common functions is changing tires during a game so the driver can get back on track to win, literally and figuratively.
While changing tires may not seem like the most glamorous job in the world, the timeframes in which these services are performed will surprise and amaze many people. In 2019, Red Bull broke its own record for pit stops, where a pit stop made during lap 21 of a total of 71 clocked in at an astonishing 1.82 seconds. check out the amazing pit stop below.
This beat Red Bull’s previous record of a 1.88 second pit stop, and that was also achieved during the 2019 season. In fact, Red Bull broke the world record for the fastest formula pit stop one three times during that season. While the Formula 1 drivers get much of the glory, this record is a testament to the pit crew members who play an important role in the F1 team.
While pit crew members need to work quickly as part of these teams, there is still a huge focus on the quality of these services. after all, the quality of the service, as well as the time taken by the pit stop, can of course play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the race for the f1 driver in question.
Ultimately, the length of time a pit stop takes depends on what needs to be repaired or changed for the driver to successfully continue in the race. Due to these variables, a pit stop could last between two and seven seconds, often longer. over time, however, these pits stop processes and the time they take has been refined.
Variables that can increase the time of a pit stop could be problems with a wheel nut or perhaps a front wide angle that needs to be adjusted to correct issues related to oversteer or understeer. If dirt and debris have accumulated on certain parts of the racer’s vehicle, these will also need to be cleaned. many factors like this can increase the time a pit stop takes.
at the end of the day, the pit crew must be made up of dedicated and skilled individuals who can work as part of a team in the fast-paced world of formula one and support their drivers in the most efficient way possible to achieve them. over the finish line. Read on as we take a closer look at the members of the F1 pit crew and their various roles!
pit crew summary
earlier in this article we looked at the important role pit crew members play in formula 1 racing. while the drivers in these races often get much of the glory from the public, their successes would not be possible without a team of mechanics dedicated to maintaining your vehicle during pit stops.
There are many specialized functions that make up the full pit crew, which typically has twenty members in total. Over time, this number has fluctuated slightly as certain Formula 1 regulations have changed. for example, since 2010, there has been no need for pit crew members to refuel vehicles during races following rule changes.
team leader
One thing that hasn’t changed is how pit crews are managed in general. The team is led by a crew chief, who is the leader of the pit crew and the highest paid member of the Formula One pit crew. The crew chief is responsible for choosing the team members that are part of his F1 pit crew. Let’s take a look at the members of the team that the team leader manages.
refueling
A member of the pit crew will be responsible for refueling the vehicles. however, due to rule changes, this is no longer done during races. Prior to 2010, when changes to F1 racing came into force, this crew member had to be able to refuel vehicles at an estimated rate of 12 liters of fuel per second.
tire changes
Tire changes are one of the most important parts of Formula 1 pit stops. Each pit crew has four team members responsible for changing tires during a race. To help these four crew members, there is an additional team consisting of eight tire carriers.
While the four tire changers are primarily responsible for handling tire changes on these vehicles during a race, they are assisted by the tire haulers as they uninstall used tires and then install new ones.
jack men
Two crew members will be the mechanics, who are responsible for using a lever to lift the car and then level it so the driver can resume his race. there are also two crew members who are stabilizers and are in charge of stabilizing the car on the right and left sides, as well as in the center.
wingmen
Crew team wingmen are responsible for adjusting the front wing angles of the racer’s vehicle. finally, to complete the pit crew, there is a member who is in charge of extinguishing any fire that occurs. Together, all of these roles discussed above make up a complete Formula One pit crew.
how do they all work together?
While all of these functions are crucial for the driver to safely and successfully cross the finish line, not all team members can work at the same time. after all, there are usually up to twenty members, and the duration of pit stops is usually less than ten seconds.
A typical Formula 1 car will take about ten seconds to enter the pit lane and approach the garage. the driver then makes sure the car is in neutral and that he keeps his foot on the brake. the crew of mechanics can then begin servicing the vehicle.
During the first second, air guns are used to loosen the lug nuts on the vehicle’s wheels. while this is happening, the jack men lift the car off the ground with their jacks from the front and rear of the vehicle.
At the 2.5 second mark, all four wheels will be off the car and the team will begin replacing these wheels with new ones. another member of the pit crew will ensure that the driver’s helmet visor is clean. at the 3.5 second mark, all four new wheels will be on the vehicle. then the wheel nuts will be tightened.
When finished, a crew member will raise their hand to confirm all is well. at this point the wheels have been successfully replaced and the cat men lower the car again. this is normally done when 5 seconds have passed. Of course, this period of time could fluctuate depending on the services required, as mentioned above.
Due to the strict time constraints associated with pit stops, Formula One regulates the number of pit crew members allowed to work on a car at one time during a pit stop. currently only five crew members can jump the wall at any given time during a pit stop to work on the car. these members are chosen by the team leader.
Watch the video below which explains in detail how a Formula 1 pit stop works.
If your dream is to become a pit crew crew chief one day, or work in any of the other roles that make up a pit crew, then you should read on. Next, we’ll look at how you can become a member of a Formula One pit crew.
how do you become a member of the f1 pit crew?
Now that we’ve looked at the roles of the pit crew, both as a team and the individual roles that make it up, it’s time to look at how you can become a member of the Formula 1 pit crew. From the knowledge you’ll need to gain to required training and beyond, we’ll break down what you need to know if you’re considering this career path.
what skills do you need to be a pit crew member?
Those who want to be part of the formula 1 pit crew must be fast and agile while remaining careful and consistent to excel in this race. without these qualities, the pit crew will be unnecessarily delayed, which could cause the driver to lose his race.
As a crew member, you’re supporting your driver and want to deliver your best performance so he can excel. after all, pit crew members receive bonuses for winning races in addition to their annual salaries. this amount ranges from $250 to $5,000, which goes to the crew chief.
roles and responsibilities
However, if you want to be part of a Formula 1 pit crew, there is one crucial thing you need to understand. Unfortunately, you can’t just be an F1 tire changer and work during races. when you think about how quick pit stops are (less than seconds), it makes sense that there would be more to the pit crew roles.
Members of the pit crew have full-time jobs as part of their race team. many of these members are mechanics, truck drivers, engine installers and more. the only truly “fixed” role on the pit crew is crew chief. Because of this, you won’t just find a job ad to be a member of the F1 pit crew.
If you want to get involved in a Formula 1 pit crew, you’ll need to start by getting involved in the race team with a normal day job, such as a mechanic. Once you have done this, you will have the opportunity to get involved in the tasks of the pit crew. so how do you become part of the racing team?
get the right education
The first step towards a career as an F1 crew member is getting the right education to create a solid foundation on which to build your career. You should take every opportunity to improve your automotive knowledge and skills, even outside of traditional studies!
This includes finding local racetracks and the events that are held there. Seeing how things work behind the scenes can help you get ahead in this industry. even participating in careers can be advantageous as it will allow you to gain a more complete understanding of the industry you want to join.
In terms of study, you’ll need to enroll in a mechanic crew training program. there are many institutions that offer a practical education that will prepare you for a fulfilling career. A focus on core subjects will serve you well in this career field.
getting the right experience
Work experience and the right education will always be a plus! however, experience and education are not the only factors to consider for this career path. This is a very physical job, so you’ll also need to make sure you have the strength and stamina to work twelve to fifteen hour shifts.
At the end of the day, like many other career paths, you may need to start small and work your way up the industry to a major team. you can do this while keeping your eyes on your dream of being part of a formula one pit crew.
As you gain more experience and excel in this industry, you will be able to refine and master your skills. you’ll likely start working on smaller touring series and as you develop your skill set you’ll work your way up to larger circuits. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to network with other industry professionals and make connections that will serve you well in the world of motorsports.
At the end of the day, the motorsports industry is diverse. There are many opportunities available in this industry for those who are interested in this fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping career path. With the right training, experience and connections, you have the potential to go far in the motorsports industry and further your dream of being a member of the Formula One pit crew.
watch the following video of guy martin’s basic training to become a member of the f1 pit crew.
conclusion
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become a member of the Formula 1 pit crew. After all, these pit crews are breaking their own pit stop records, and some of them are completed in less than two seconds. however, working as part of the pit crew is only part of the duties of these crew members in their day jobs. Most of these crew members work for Formula One as mechanics, engine fitters and more.
If you’re interested in working as part of an F1 pit crew, you’ll need to get the right education and experience. From there, you’ll work your way through larger circuits towards your dream of working in the fast-paced world of Formula One.