FIA rule change will force F1 teams to slow down pitstops

The new technical directive will be imposed from the Hungarian Grand Prix in August in a bid to reduce the likelihood of a car returning to the track before all four of its wheels have been properly attached.

F1 pit stops have been completed in record times in recent years, with sub-3-second and even sub-2-second stops becoming the norm.

Red Bull has set the fastest pit stops at five of the opening seven races so far this season, with three of them coming under the 2-second mark.

But after safety concerns were raised about the ever-reducing speeds, and following complaints that some teams have been pushing the boundaries of the regulations, F1’s governing body has issued an updated technical directive.

The new directive, TD22A, cites article 12.8.4 of the technical regulations which states that: “Devices which are used to fit or remove wheel fasteners may only be powered by compressed air or nitrogen. Any sensor systems may only act passively.”

Under the new technical directive, 0.2s must pass between the final signal being given and the drivers receiving the go-ahead to leave their pit boxes to ensure that human reaction times are taken into account.

Teams will have three races - both Austrian rounds and the British Grand Prix - before the technical directive comes into effect to prepare.

Ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said he welcomed the new technical directive.

“From our point of view, we welcome the initiative from the FIA to put out this clarification,” he said.

“Safety for our pit crew is one of the most important things for us as a team. Pit stops are a very competitive battlefield in F1 and therefore it is good to clarify even further what the FIA is expecting in order to be within the rules.

“I don’t think it will change a lot for us because we have always took a more conservative approach here, we make sure that we don’t put anyone in the pit crew at risk.

“One reason we welcome the initiative is [because] it’s important to anticipate safety issues and not always wait until they happen and then react. Therefore, we are very happy with that.”