Mechanic Synchrony
Are the seven seconds it takes to complete the average Grand Prix pit stop the longest seconds in sport?
“In the seven seconds it takes to complete an average Grand Prix pit stop, a driver will get four fresh tires, a tank of fuel, an inspection to remove debris from nooks and crannies, and maybe some shiny new parts to replace any track casualties. It’s a hyperdrive time warp where jobs that might take an afternoon at your local garage are crammed into a few heartbeats. Dozens of mechanics work in choreographed synchrony, while team managers analyze every detail of every task down to hundredths of a second. Wired talked to Red Bull Racing’s own in-house clock watcher, Jonathan Wheatley, to find out what happens during the longest seven seconds in motor sports.”
