People of the Pit Stop: A Driver’s ViewDiscover the role of a Formula One driver during a pit stop.

Ournewfive-partseries,PeopleofthePitStop,willteachyoueveryone’sjobduringapitstop,andwe’renotjusttalkingaboutthe18peoplethatsurroundthecarforaroundtwosecondsinarace,we’realsolookingatthoseTeammemberswhoensurethatthestandardsarekepthighandthatweremainthebestintheworld.

Our pit crew have won the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award for the last four seasons running, and let’s not forget the Team also set the world record of 1.82 seconds for the fastest ever pit stop at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix – so gold stars all around.

Performing Our World Record Pit Stop In 2019© Getty Images

In episode one of People Of The Pit Stop we talk to 2021 Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen to find out what the role of a driver is during the pit stop.

Max explains that the most important thing is hitting your marks, that way everything can go smoothly. He also has to ready himself for the pit stop. “When I get told to ‘box’, I know the stop is coming, so I prepare mentally for the stop,” he says. “I then have to maximise my pit entry and hit the pit limit at the right time.”

Out Of The Pits In Record Time© Vladimir Rys

Max will then ensure he hits his marks so the Team can go to work. “You can definitely feel when it’s a very good stop, it’s like a natural feeling. You can feel all four wheels come off, then go back on at the same time and the car gets dropped. You’re then off and it’s a very good feeling,” explains Max.

It’s also something Max thinks the Team should be very proud of because it often helps him get ahead of his rival!

Our Pit Crew Aren't Just Award Winners, They're Record Breakers© Vladimir Rys