Formula 1 is a sport defined by speed and strategies. And the recently concluded Abu Dhabi Grand Prix added another chapter to this narrative. Led by the formidable Dutch driver Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing secured their sixth consecutive DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award despite McLaren etching their name in the history books with a record-breaking pit stop at the Qatar GP.

Pit stops are a testament to the teamwork and precision required in Formula 1. It’s not merely about changing tires though. It’s about planning, split-second decision-making, and flawless execution. And Red Bull‘s ability to consistently pull off optimum pit stops has become one of the crucial factors of their supremacy on the track.

McLaren’s record-breaking pit stop falls short of Red Bull’s consistency

McLaren achieved something truly extraordinary at the Qatar Grand Prix earlier in the season. During Lando Norris‘s second pit stop on Lap 28, the McLaren crew executed a pit stop in a jaw-dropping 1.8 seconds. They rewrote the record books for the fastest pit stop in Formula 1 history.

To put this achievement into perspective, this record-breaking feat surpassed Max Verstappen’s crew’s previous record set in 2019 at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Notably, Verstappen’s record was achieved with smaller 13-inch tires, while Norris’s crew accomplished this feat with the current 18-inch tires, setting a new benchmark in the sport.

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Even though Red Bull had managed a 1.8-second pit stop during practice, McLaren’s accomplishment during the actual Grand Prix under pressure is a different beast. The closest competitor this season was Ferrari, with a 1.93-second pit stop for Charles Leclerc.

While McLaren’s feat was a moment of glory, the overall pit stop rankings for the season favored Red Bull Racing, who secured the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award with 521 points. Ferrari claimed the second spot with 437 points, and McLaren secured the third position with 385 points.

“A HUGE congratulations to @redbullracing who have been awarded the DHL Fastest Pit Stop for 2023! Amazing work🤝. The trophy was designed by @amits_formula and presented by Antonio Conte from @dhlexpressitaly,“ announced DHL Motorsports on X.

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While Red Bull celebrates the reward for the sixth year in a row, the Dutchman has yet again triggered a change in rules following his Free Practice pit-lane shenanigans.

Max Verstappen forced yet another rule change at the season finale in Abu Dhabi

In response to Max Verstappen’s bold maneuver during the Free Practice session, FIA issued a revision to the rules in their event notes. They barred overtaking in the pit lane exit during qualifying on Saturday.

Verstappen’s overtakes including Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, in the pit exit tunnel during Friday’s practice sessions raised a few concerns. Although not a breach of sporting regulations, the move was deemed a potential safety concern. In response, Race Director Niels Wittich invoked Article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. He emphasized that drivers should not drive unnecessarily slowly. On top of that, he added a new rule that overtaking in the pit exit road was prohibited unless a car exhibited an obvious problem.

Saturday morning’s event notes sent to the teams ahead of the FP3 session in Abu Dhabi highlighted the rule change. “As per article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, drivers are not allowed to drive unnecessarily slowly, that includes stopping a car in the fast lane of the pit lane. Additionally, overtaking is prohibited in the pit exit road unless a car slows with an obvious problem.“

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Do you think Max Verstappen took things a bit too far during the second Free Practice session? Share your thoughts in the comments below.