F1 to freeze development of pit stop equipment

A new technical directive issued by the FIA will see the development of Formula 1 pit stop equipment frozen from September this year.

It comes as the latest measure to try and cut costs ahead of the introduction of a $145million budget cap being enforced from the 2021 season.

Teams have spent vast resources improving their pit stop equipment in the pursuit of saving time over the years, with the most notable changes being seen with the development of automated ‘traffic light’ systems and improved jacks. All elements including the front jacks and wheel guns are modified by the teams.

But following the technical directive, teams will no longer be able to develop their pit stop equipment from September 30 this year as part of a new drive to cut costs.

All 10 teams will be required to provide a full description of the equipment they use to F1’s governing body by July 22. Unlimited modifications will be allowed after that date prior to the September deadline but teams must first update the FIA on what they plan to alter.

Only minor changes will be permitted following September 30 but they must be approved. These allowances will include small modifications to jacks in order to cope with various car ride height ranges.

A plan for teams to use the same standard pit stop equipment was abandoned as the teams would have had to buy the new equipment, leading to unnecessary spending.

In May, all 10 teams agreed to a package of new cost-cutting changes to help the sport ride out the coronavirus pandemic. These measures included lowering the budget cap and the introduction of a sliding scale research-and-development handicap system.