Here is everything you need to know about the F1 pit crew members.
How much does a Formula 1 pit crew member earn?">
Pit crew members. Image via Forbes.
Formula 1 pit crew members play a vital role during a Grand Prix. Their job has a big impact on the team’s results. The drivers make pit stops during the race, and the team relies on the pit crew members to get the job done perfectly and as fast as they can. Each second gained or wanted in the pit lane affects the final output of the race. The crew practices the pit stops several times over the race weekend, especially during the free practice sessions.
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports. Every individual contributing their service to the sport will be financially compensated. The teams bring the best mechanical engineers, tire changers, and crew chiefs. They normally have years of experience. The crew chief is the head of the pit crew members. His main duty is to select the people for tire changes and other jobs around the car ahead of the race.
This job comes with high pressure. One mistake during the race can easily cost them a championship or a win. However, these individuals earn well. The teams take care of their employees financially. When the teams pay well, the crew is motivated to work hard. It is not an easy job. It requires skill, speed, and physical fitness as well.
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Red Bull has a record for the quickest pit stops. During the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had the perfect pit stop of 1.82 seconds. However, things might not be the same always; in 2016, at the Monaco Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo spent 16 minutes in the pit stop. It cost the Australian his victory. The pit crew did not have his tires ready. This situation favored Lewis Hamilton and led him to win the race.
Related: What are Formula One’s current power unit engine rules for 2023?
Formula 1 pit crew members’ salary
Top teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes spend the most on their pit crew. Red Bull spends around $5 million on their pit crew, and Ferrari has an estimated $10 million. Other teams like Haas and Williams pay lesser than the front runners. However, all pit crew members will be rewarded if their team wins the race. This is something they look forward to.
| Per Race | Annual Salary | Race Winning Bonus | |
| Crew Chief | $10,000 | $1 Million | $5,000 |
| Refueling Person | $5,000 | $3,50,000 | $2,500 |
| Tyre Changers | $5,000 | $3,50,000 | $2,500 |
| Tyre Carriers | $3,500 | $2,70,000 | $2,500 |
| Jack Men | $3,000 | $1,50,000 | $500 |
| Wing Men | $3,000 | $1,50,000 | $500 |
| Stabilizer | $2,500 | $90,000 | $250 |
| Lollipop Man | $1,500 | $70,000 | $250 |
| Starter Man | $750 | $40,000 | $250 |
| Fire Extinguisher Man | $500 | $30,000 | $250 |
What do the F1 pit crew members do?
Pit crew members’ salaries vary depending on numerous factors. It includes their role in the garage, the team they work with, and their experience also plays a role. The pit crew chief plays a key role, as mentioned before. Strategy-making is also a part of his responsibilities. He is the highest-ranking individual on the crew. He is often spotted on the pit wall with the team principal, race engineers, and other important team members.
Wheel gun operators and tire changers ensure the tires are changed immediately. Their job is to carry new wheels and fix them on the car. The Formula 1 car has to be lifted above the ground to change the tires. The teams use a different kind of jack to lift the cars, on the front and rear ends. The mechanics who deal with the wing adjustments earn the same as the jack operators.
— Matt³³⁺¹⁶ (@FM1_3316) March 12, 2023Max just barely getting in front of Charles during this pitstop at Silverstone shows how important it is for an F1 team to have a well-trained pit crew
Incredible speed and efficiency at Red Bull pic.twitter.com/r5d0Ywh4RZ
There are about 20 people on the pit crew team. Everyone plays a different role in ensuring the pit stop is clean and quick. There are also additional members on standby in case of an emergency. There are also fire extinguishers. The refueling person has a vital role during the race, regarding fueling the car, depending on the race strategy.
| Pit Crew Member | Their role |
| Crew Chief | The crew chief is the most important person of the pit crew. He gives the orders and coordinates between the crew members. |
| Refueling Person | They refuel the car. |
| Tyre Changers | They are four members who mange the tyres. |
| Tyre Carriers | Two tyre carriers assist the tyre changers in replacing the old tyres with new ones. |
| Jack Men | 2 jack men use a lever to lift the car during the tyre change. |
| Wing Men | Adjust the front wing angle. |
| Stabilizer | Two pit crew members stabilise the car from left, right, and centre. |
| Fire Extinguisher | The fireman is always on a emergency standby. He puts off the fire in case an incident occurs. |
How to become an F1 pit crew member?
It is interesting to know that only the chief crew has a full-time job. The others help around with various roles in the Formula 1 garage. Most of the members are mechanics or truck drivers, or they do something related to the engines. The crew must have some knowledge of the cars.
They will also go through an intense training course. To become a pit crew member, the individuals must join a training program. Many institutions have this course. Focusing on STEM subjects will be an advantage in this field.
Are there any courses to join an F1 pit crew team?
As mentioned, some institutions help youngsters fulfill their careers in motorsport. Red Bull crew member, Calum Nicholas spoke on the pit crew podcast about this. He enrolled in the National College for Motorsport in Silverstone when he was 21.
There is a greater number of people joining the course. There are institutes in Germany and Italy as well.
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