GETTING TECHNICAL // A1GP PITSTOP STRATEGY EXPLAINED

Ever wondered how during F1 races the pitstops seem to run like clockwork, every time without fail, thus meaning there is no chance for a team to really make a ‘difference’ in the pits? Well the answer is that Formula One teams are allowed an unlimited number of pit crew members to carry out repairs and fuel/tyre replenishments!
 
In stark contrast to that, the A1GP series restrict the number of pit crew that are allowed to work on the car during a stop. With this fundamental difference in mind, CTD's Neil Tozer with the help of A1GP.com, has decided to take a closer look at the challenge that is a A1GP pitstop... [read more]

So let's imagine for a while that you the 'punter' had license to influence the regulations with regard to pitstops within a worldwide top line single seater race series.
 
OK! what would you do to perhaps provide the chance of potential place changes in the pits to complement track generated passes for position? Well, the A1GP brass have thought about this with a considerably more innovative way of thinking than most other single seater series.
 
For starters there are, over the course of a race, 3 compulsory stops, one in the Sprint Race along with two in the far longer Feature Race. Then lets think about how we might mix it up a bit when these stops actually happen.
 
Lets limit the number of 'Team Personnel' that are allowed anywhere near the car and also make them stand away from the actual pitlane behind a painted line in front of each teams pit garage. Good! your getting the idea! So lets now make the permitted 8 team members run out to the car carrying all their equipment along with rear tyres that weigh 20KG and fronts only slightly lighter at 18 KG.
 
Sounds good? well yes a pitstop that actually involves some skill! and parameters that can actually influence the total time taken for the pit work to be completed. 
 
This years A1GP Pitstop Challenge winners were Team Australia and with the the help of A1GP.com Team manager Adam Gotch an insight into each member of the pitstop crew's responsibilities is given below.
 
'The Eight Ball' - what each crew member does -

Everyone has a specific role in a pitstop, as Gotch explains (the following assumes the pit lane is on the right hand side of the track, and you are looking at the car from behind):
 
Inside (right) rear tyre changer: 
“This person takes the short step from the pits with the tyre and air-gun and changes the tyre all by themselves.  This is one motion for them – our man has one hand for the wheel and one hand for the gun.”
 
Inside (right) front tyre changer: 
 “Similar to the inside-rear changer. It’s a short walk and they get no help.”

Outside (left) rear tyre changer: 
“They run around the rear of the car and remove the left-rear tyre. By the time they have placed it on the floor, the fifth man has placed a new tyre on the axle, ready for them to tighten with the air gun.”
 
Outside (left) front tyre changer:
“They run around the rear of the car to the front-left tyre. They operate the gun and remove the wheel, and then wait a few moments for the new wheel to be placed on his axle by the fifth man. They then screw the nut in place. The nature of this late arrival means that they are usually the last to finish.”
 
The ‘fifth’ man / tyre runner: 
“His job is to run out around carrying the two tyres to the outside wheels, placing the rear one directly on its axle first, before doing the same for the front one. By the time he gets round to each corner the used tyres have already been removed. The rear wheel is about 20kg and the front is about 18kg. When you are running with that weight, it’s not the easiest job in the world.”
 
Front jack operator: 
“Runs from the pit line to the front of the car and lifts the car up so the tyres can be changed.”
 
Rear jack operator: 
“Runs around the rear of the car. It is essential they get the positioning of the jack correctly, or they could damage the carbon fibre parts on the undertray and it could really ruin the race.”
 
Lollipop operator:
“They control the entry and exit of the car to the pit stop and stand out in the pit lane to make it easier for the driver to determine where his pit box is when coming in. While the stop is going on they hold the lollipop out in front of the driver, which signifies they cannot move yet. When they have seen a hand signal from the operators on all four wheels and checked there is no other car coming down the pit lane in their vicinity they can lift the lollipop and release the car. Even though he is wearing radio equipment at the time, it is not used, unless in an absolute emergency.”
"While technically teams can use their eight men how they like, provided they stick to the one person per tyre rule, many pit stops look very similar, because essentially there is one recognised route to achieve the best stop. However, teams do employ different strategies".

Gotch explains: “Some teams have their outside (left) front tyre changer run around the front of the car to get to his tyre quicker, but if they do this they have to drag their air-gun around the front of the car and that air-line would have to be cleared before the car left the pits. We have that person running around the back. It takes a few moments longer for him to get to his tyre, but then we don’t have to even think about where his air-line ends up. The driver can just drive straight out when the wheel is changed.

Bearing in mind that over the course of a race weekend Adam puts his team through its paces with up to 80 practice stops, this is really different from the 'norm' and we at CTD applaud this as another example of 'Improving the Show' for the very people that keep our beloved sport solvent, the race fans!
 
Be sure and stay tuned for 2009/2010 A1GP coverage right here at ColdTrackDays, as the A1GP visits the 'Gold Coast' for the opening round at Surfers Paradise in Australia on October 25th, 2009 with teams from over 20 nations battling it out over the 4.47km beach side street circuit.

For tickets, click here
 
Editorial: Neil Tozer and A1GP
Photo: A1GP