What happens in WEC pitstops?
Well-executed pitstops are vital to success in endurance racing, so it should come as no surprise that teams in the FIA World Endurance Championship must employ numerous personnel to perform various functions when a car pits for fuel and tyres.
Series regulations dictate that only 11 crew members can be involved in pitstops, which are as follows: one car controller, one refueller, one fire extinguisher attendant, one cut-off valve attendant, one cockpit helper, four mechanics and two technicians in charge of checking tyres and brakes.
All of these – except the cut-off valve attendant – are restricted to performing one function only.
It is the mechanics who are responsible for tyre changes, although only two are allowed to do this, with a maximum of two wheel guns permitted. In addition, they must change the wheel unaided – unlike in Formula 1, where a gun man has two assistants to remove and attach wheels.
The reason for this is to slow down pitstops and provide an incentive to teams to change tyres less often.
One change for the Super Season is that tyre changes may now be carried out at the same time as refueling. Previously, teams were not allowed to refuel and change tyres simultaneously.
