Do you know how many people it takes to change a set of F1 tires today? And how they manage to complete the job within just a few seconds? Let’s break down the roles of each member in the pit crew. As of now, the fastest tire change record is still held by McLaren at the 2023 Qatar GP — just 1.80 seconds. A quick tire change typically requires the cooperation of over 20 people.
When a driver confirms a pit stop, the entire tire crew prepares everything in advance and waits in position. The driver must stop the car with extreme precision — stopping too far forward or too far back forces the crew to adjust positions, wasting precious time.
First are the mechanics in charge of the front jack and rear jack, lifting the car off the ground. The front jack slides under the front wing, while the rear jack fits beneath the rear light area. Usually, each jack position has a main operator and a backup in case of issues — such as jack failure or the driver overshooting and hitting the jack man. With the car lifted, two steadier crew members stand on either side of the cockpit to keep it stable. Sometimes, extra side jacks are used, especially when a front wing change is required.
Occasionally, you’ll see two more crew members at the front adjusting or cleaning the front wing, fine-tuning the angle to suit track conditions, tire wear, or fuel load.
Each wheel is handled by three specialized crew members — the tyre gunner (operating a high-speed pneumatic gun to remove and refit the wheel nut), the tyre off mechanic (removing the old tire), and the tyre on mechanic (fitting the new tire). Some teams assign an extra backup for each wheel. The wheel gun automatically switches from loosening to tightening mode and sends an electronic signal once secured.
In the past, a lollipop man stood in front of the car with a stick to signal when the stop was complete. Nowadays, most teams use an electronic light system, though some still have a crew member operating a light board.
If a team attempts a double stack pit stop (both cars stopping one after another), four extra crew members prepare the second set of tires, quickly swapping them in after the first car is serviced.
Changing tires in F1 is the ultimate display of teamwork — one person’s mistake can ruin the stop. Pit crew members must have exceptional physical fitness and strong mental focus. Those few seconds of perfection come from countless hours of repetitive practice, building muscle memory. Over F1’s 70+ years, the process has evolved with technology, but precision and coordination remain the heart of the job.
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