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The Kid Should See This

A Formula 1 Pit Stop Explained

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Have you seen the video of Ferrari’s F1 pit crew doing a pit stop in around two seconds? Even after watching it multiple times, it can be a challenge to understand how a team of nearly 20 people can work so quickly and efficiently as a cohesive group.

Now this GoPro/Red Bull promo video breaks down every role on the pit crew to better explain how incredible teamwork like this can come together in such a short window of time. A bit more from The New York Times:

Choreographing the whole ballet is the chief mechanic, or the lollipop man, who holds up a sign shaped like a lollipop at the front of the car, signaling the driver when to stop and when to go. [Jordan Grand Prix Test Team lead Dave] O’Neill said that is the hardest job.

“You’ve got to look within six seconds to make sure that 24 people have finished doing what they’re meant to do and then be looking up the pit lane to make sure no cars are coming down before you release the car and let it go,” O’Neill said.

The practice sessions are more strenuous and tiring than the race, although during practice the refuelers are not obliged to wear the visored helmets and fireproof suits that can be so unpleasant when the weather is hot.

Here’s another one in real time: The Ferrari pit crew with the fastest pit stop of the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.

File under practice, and watch more examples of how we work together: Club & ring juggling tricks with a team of four jugglers, World Record Group Skydive – 164-Person Formation, STOMP makes basketball music with the Harlem Globetrotters, and What Happens When 350 Musicians Meet For The First Time?

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