How fast can pitstops get?

[Tomba]

Due to the lines on their pants and jackets it actually seems like a cooling suit.

Given that refuelling was available and all mechanics had to use anti-flame suits, on hot races it seems like a good idea.

Now adays in hot races they wear shorts and tshirts.

None of the pitcrew is allowed to wear shorts anymore as it was deemed unsafe.

[Nando]

One way to shorten the times might be to use another system then screwing something on to hold it in place.

I think one of the best theoretical systems would be to use a click-system. Basically you use a tool to get the pegs down, this allows the guy to remove the wheel.
The other guy who puts on the new wheel simply has to click it on.

I´m sure there are many things to consider (like safety) but maybe it will be look into in the future.
Little sketch showing sort of what i mean.
If it can be done then i would think sub 2 second pit stops would be the average.

The latest version teams use vs my theoretical click system,

[Paul]

I feel the car could be lifted a little less, that would not only slightly lower the time it takes to lift and drop it, but also guys on wheels would have less change in hub and wheel-nut position between highest and lowest to contend with...

[simieski]

Nando, I'm a little sceptical about how much clamping force the peg system you described would be able to apply to the wheel. How would the pegs be extended or retracted?

[amouzouris]

Nando, I'm a little sceptical about how much clamping force the peg system you described would be able to apply to the wheel. How would the pegs be extended or retracted?

well that would be by using a spring system for each peg inside the wheel hub....and as Nando described...the mechanic would use a tool to get the pegs down and then the wheel would be pulled out with it...the mechanic that will put the wheel back on just has to slide the wheel in place and the pegs will lock themselves up....also...the faster the wheel spins the greater the outward force on the pegs

[Vasco]

Nando, I'm a little sceptical about how much clamping force the peg system you described would be able to apply to the wheel. How would the pegs be extended or retracted?

well that would be by using a spring system for each peg inside the wheel hub....and as Nando described...the mechanic would use a tool to get the pegs down and then the wheel would be pulled out with it...the mechanic that will put the wheel back on just has to slide the wheel in place and the pegs will lock themselves up....also...the faster the wheel spins the greater the outward force on the pegs

I had a look at that video comparison with Button and Vettel's pitstops and I am pretty sure that Mclaren seem to be doing exactly what you describe.

[amouzouris]

Nice comparison

after watching the video again myself....i think that we are onto something here....the mechanic never seems to put the wheel gun....if it is a wheel gun anymore back on....and the major problems mclaren had earlier this year was with cross threading...so instead of redesigning them..they decided to get rid of them...

edit: forget about it...he does put the wheel gun back on...he is just so fast we can't see him



this angle reveals it

[flynfrog]

One way to shorten the times might be to use another system then screwing something on to hold it in place.

I think one of the best theoretical systems would be to use a click-system. Basically you use a tool to get the pegs down, this allows the guy to remove the wheel.
The other guy who puts on the new wheel simply has to click it on.

I´m sure there are many things to consider (like safety) but maybe it will be look into in the future.
Little sketch showing sort of what i mean.
If it can be done then i would think sub 2 second pit stops would be the average.

The latest version teams use vs my theoretical click system,

On road RC cars have had this for a while. Its a spring clip in the middle of the axle. an f1 system could use the on board Hydraulics to release the wheel with a spring fail safe.

[bhallg2k]

Sorta like this?

(Click to enlarge)

[simieski]

well that would be by using a spring system for each peg inside the wheel hub....and as Nando described...the mechanic would use a tool to get the pegs down and then the wheel would be pulled out with it...the mechanic that will put the wheel back on just has to slide the wheel in place and the pegs will lock themselves up....also...the faster the wheel spins the greater the outward force on the pegs

I kind of figured someone would say springs. Can't picture it working as reliably or efficiently as a screw thread in my opinion. So how would you suggest the springs are arranged to react onto the pegs? What kind of tool would you use to compress the pegs? I have my own ideas on this, but I can't see it being an improvement so would be great to get someone to explain it.

Flynn, with a hyd based system this would require an actuator and hyd px/return to each hub? I guess self locking actuators would be required in case of hyd fail to prevent the wheels making a bid for freedom. Seems like quite a bit of extra unstrung mass to be carrying.

[Nando]

Nando, I'm a little sceptical about how much clamping force the peg system you described would be able to apply to the wheel. How would the pegs be extended or retracted?

Yea i have no idea, really the theory would be that the system by itself clamps down harder the faster or more force you put on the system, until you reach a point where it´s just locked down completely.

Extracted would be due to inbuilt springs like they run even today.
To release the wheel all you would need is a circular tool that pushes all pegs down as you push on to the axle.

[Cam]

Human reaction time can be tuned a lot more I think. Here's some information from: http://www.humanbenchmark.com/tests/reactiontime/stats.php

The average (median) reaction time is 215 milliseconds.

Recorded 5054377 clicks so far.

If you had a entre crew working from pure reflex, you could get the time right down. It'll be interesting to see how this tracks out.

[krisfx]

I think the wheelguns account for a big amount of the time. You still have to change tires, but a magnetic wheelnut or something similar could improve pitstop times considerably-

Most teams use a captive nut which is attached to the wheelhub now =P