Red Bull F1 team representative Christian Horner says changes in F1 regulations, including the switch to 18-inch tires this year, will inevitably affect pit stop times.
The Red Bull Racing crew holds the fastest pit stop record in F1 history. Max Verstappen’s RB15 achieved an astonishing 1.82 second pit stop at the 2019 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Since then, Red Bull Racing has been the fastest F1 team in the pit stop and has won the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award for the fourth consecutive year.
But with F1’s new heavy 18-inch wheels this year, it’s unlikely to hit the 2019 record.
“It will definitely affect the pit stop. Tires and wheels are heavier and bulkier,” Christian Horner said in a presentation on the 2022 F1 machine RB18.
“We have a world record of 1.82 seconds, but I don’t think we’ll challenge it in this first year with these wheels.”
“It’s important to adapt and refine our technology, and we’re confident that even with these wheels and tires, we can get close to a stop of nearly two seconds.”
Red Bull F1 Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley says pit stops will be slower, but consistency and fumble avoidance will be more important than ever.
“We’re in a new phase in F1. In 2022 we’ll have 18-inch wheels and big, heavy wheels. Frankly, we’ve had one pit stop practice with these types of wheels at this time. I haven’t tried it, “said Jonathan Wheatley at the end of last year.
“Next year we’ll need a completely different dynamic. It’s going to be a big key to consistency. That’s what we’re working on throughout the winter.”
Jonathan Wheatley calls tightly coordinated teamwork and important tire change exercises “embodying team performance.”
“There are 22 people, including the driver, and each one has to do a great job,” said Jonathan Wheatley.
“That motivation, that consistency-it comes from a truly motivated individual.”
“I think our efforts to achieve the most consistent pit stop humanly possible have been underpinned by the incredibly fast times men can do.”
“When we have a group of very motivated individuals, they come together as a team in that spirit.”
“We had ups and downs, things went wrong this year (2021) and there was a very slow pit stop. They rebuilt themselves and came back. I’m very proud of them. ing”
Category: Category: F1 / Red bull
