Quickest in the pits...

[shiny side up!]

Article from F1-Live:
http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlin...13181730.shtml

Basically states that Renault is consistently the fastest team in the pits, especially in the last two races:

Spain - fastest pit stops:
J. Trulli - 20'997 - lap 9
F. Alonso - 21'427 - lap 8
F. Alonso - 21'816 - lap 25
R. Schumacher - 21'879 - lap 10
J. Trulli - 21'900 - lap 23

San Marino - fastest pit stops:
F. Alonso - 22'619 - lap 48
J. Trulli - 23'019 - lap 46
O. Panis - 23'538 - lap 26
F. Alonso - 23'617 - lap 30
J. Trulli - 23'685 - lap 31

Which got me wondering a little bit... why are they consistently quicker? The traditional bottleneck in a pitstop is the refueling, as that takes longer than the other operations (tire changing, wing adjustment) under normal circumstances. So, what is different in their refueling?

The fuel delivery rig is the same as everyone else's (or it should be!), so it seems to me it is down to either:

A) their pitstop techinique is phenomenal
or
B) their fuel tank design is unique
or
C) they are using less fuel than everyone else (engine less thirsty)

Anybody have any other takes on this?

[Mr V]

Didn't Renault "short fill" Trulli in his first stop in Spain? Didn't he come in after Alonso for his first stop, but before him for his second stop?

[shiny side up!]

Yeah, that is true... but they didn't short-fill 4 times! Discounting that kind of scenario, they are still consistently quick...

[Mal]

If you watched the pit stop in Spain they appeared to put a third man on to the fuel hose as it it released and seamed to get it removed and out of the way significantly quicker. This was commented on by Martin Brundle.

I would assume you will see other teams copy this technique in Monaco

[Mr V]

Thats true Mal, only remembered that after you mentioned it!

[shiny side up!]

Hmmm, our coverage didn't mention that (that I recall, anyway...). Good insight.

[Red]

Well, the pitstop times that Shiny posted are not really helpful. The total of time spent in all 3 pitstops are more meaningful. Renault are still ahead.

Imola
Fernando Alonso 	1:11.320 
Jarno Trulli    	1:11.464 
Ralf Schumacher 	1:12.206 
Michael Schumacher 	1:12.719 

Spain
Fernando Alonso 	1:06.7 *
Jarno Trulli    	1:07.2
Michael Schumacher	1:09.1
Juan Pablo Montoya	1:09.8

That would suggest like 1-1.5 seconds or 12-17 liters less for a race distance. (Since the refuelling system is standard, I don't think that technique or tank design really have an importance, not even the 3rd guy who pulls out the hose.)

[BootsOntheSide]

The notion that the Rneualt engine isn't very thirsty has been discussed before now I think, so that is probably it, that they physically require less fuel to complete a particualr distance. The third guy on the fuel rig looks to be a good idea as well.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Red
not even the 3rd guy who pulls out the hose.

I think the point that Martin Brundle was trying to make was there is less chance of the fuel nozzle sticking with 3 blokes pulling it out than with 2, which does make sense to me.

I'm surprised that Ferrari aren't up there, if what Martin and the Dullard were saying about the special fuel that Shell have developed is true. According to them, the same amount of Shell fuel goes a lap or 2 further than fuels used by other teams.

[ralf fan]

I think Jarno is fastest because they seemed to short fuel him for the 1st pitstop so he could get out in front of MS... didnt work... his first stop was 5.2 or thereabouts...

[cos]

I always think that the BAR pit-stops take about 1s longer than, say, Ferrari, even when they're on roughly the same strategy. I hope they can get that sorted soon...

[RWC]

i had some similar thoughts on BAR.
The u-beaut new honda engine seems to be abit of a fuel guzzler,relatively anyway

[Gt_R]

Interesting..so Renault actually have economical engines..

Among the top teams, i thought BMW drinks the most...Williams usually struggle a little for pole position, yet they are one of the first guys to stop. BAR seems ok, Ferraris seem ok..they could set pole times, yet stay out longer than their competition.

And Jarno's superquick first pitstop time, yet losing a position showed once again Michael's superb 2 in-lap speed.

Besides a "third fuel hose man", who have any idea what other teams currently use to try speed up the refuelling process? Ie, Ferrari once tried to wrap the fuel hose with a cold blanket or something...do they still use it?

[avsfan733]

Ferrari has had a guy pulling on the belt of the refueler for about 3 seasons now not exactly the same but it allows for the refueler to pull on the nozzle and the other guy to pull him outta the way which seems to me like it would be effective

[golem]

I thought he said the rumour was that it meant Shell-Ferrari fuel was supposed to be lighter, so for a given loaded *weight* the car can go a few laps more. Thing is though, if the fuel is only lighter but takes up the same physical space, it can only be flowed through the refuelling rig at the same rate.

[Red]

Originally posted by Mr V
I think the point that Martin Brundle was trying to make was there is less chance of the fuel nozzle sticking with 3 blokes pulling it out than with 2, which does make sense to me.

Yep, good point. But in most cases the refuelling goes smoothly, the improvement can't be significant.