Depending on the circuit, the garage may be located on pit lane or in a separate area. In most series, the order of the teams' pit boxes is assigned by points standings, race results, or previous qualifying results before the start of the race. In NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500, pit assignments are made after qualifying, with the fastest qualifiers choosing their pit stall first.
North American circuits feature a pit lane with typically 30–50 pit stalls and a pit wall separating the pit lane from the infield. Circuits in other parts of the world, used in Formula One, typically have individual garages open directly onto the pit lane through the team's assigned pit box. In American English, “pit road” is commonly used, whereas in British English one would always refer to “the pit lane.” Similarly, “pit box” is universally used in British English, while “pit stall” is common in American English. In NASCAR, a pit box is a tool, though there is a definitive term used for them.
Where permitted, refuelling is often an important purpose of a pit stop. Changing tyres is also common, to permit the use of softer tyres that provide more grip, to use tyres suitable for wet conditions, or to use a range of tyres designated by the rules. Teams aim for each of their vehicles to pit following a planned schedule, with the number of stops determined by factors such as fuel capacity, tyre lifespan, and the trade-off between time lost in the pits versus time gained on the track. Choosing the optimum pit strategy is crucial for a successful race.
An unscheduled or extended stop, such as for a repair, can be costly for a driver’s chance of success, because while stopped for service, competitors remaining on the track are gaining time. For this reason, the pit crew undergo intensive training to perform operations such as tyre changes as quickly as possible.
A car travelling at 100 miles per hour will travel approximately 150 feet per second, meaning a ten-second pit stop results in a loss of approximately one-quarter-mile to competitors. However, a car that has just made a pit stop will run faster on the track due to a smaller fuel load and less tyre wear.
Race teams plan a pit strategy prior to the start of every race, considering factors such as rate of fuel consumption, weight of fuel, cornering speed with each available tyre compound, rate of tyre wear, the effect of tyre wear on cornering speed, the length of pit road and the track’s pit road speed limit, and even expected changes in weather and lighting conditions. The pit strategy includes a schedule of when pit stops will happen and what service and adjustments are scheduled for each stop, particularly in endurance racing.
However, a team’s pit strategy is not fixed and can change during the race. For example, if the weather changes from dry to rain, teams must recalculate their strategy based on an unscheduled stop to change tyres. Safety car periods often see mass pit stops, hoping to take advantage of the slowed pace to reduce the time lost.
During a scheduled pit stop, the team’s pit crew services the vehicle as quickly as possible, completing a number of different services. The most common services performed are refuelling (where permitted) and changing tyres. Other services include removing debris from radiator air intakes, cleaning the windscreen, and making adjustments to tyre pressure, suspension settings, and aerodynamic devices. In endurance racing, scheduled driver changes and brake pad replacements are also considered routine service.
An unscheduled pit stop may see other services performed, such as emergency repairs and replacement of parts. In some forms of racing, a team may be ordered to bring a vehicle into the pits as a penalty and either drive through the pit lane at the maximum permitted speed or remain stationary in their pit box for a specified period of time, during which no services can be performed.
In Formula One, mid-race refuelling has been banned since 2010, and cars make pit stops primarily to change tyres. Teams sometimes also make adjustments to the front and rear wings and perform minor repairs. A pit stop typically takes approximately 3 seconds to complete. McLaren holds the current world record for the fastest pit stop, with a 1.80-second stop performed at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix on Lando Norris. Pit strategies generally call for between one and four scheduled stops, depending on the circuit.
Unlike almost all other forms of racing, Formula One rules limit teams to a single pit crew for the two cars entered. This requires teams to stagger their pit schedules so that only one of their cars is in the pits at any given time. However, with proper timing, it is possible for teams to pit both cars on the same lap without losing significant time—this is known as the ‘double stack’ strategy.
Strategies such as the ‘undercut’ and, less commonly, the ‘overcut’ are also employed.
NASCAR pit crews are led by the crew chief, who is responsible for all aspects of the crew and car set-up. Pit crew members were once the mechanics on the racecar, but many teams now feature individuals dedicated to pit stops only, often former collegiate or professional athletes. Penalties can be incurred for speeding on pit road, servicing the car outside of the designated pit stall, or driving over an air hose. A pit stop for four tyres and fuel can last 12 to 16 seconds, and a stop for two tyres and fuel may take 5 to 7 seconds.
In the IndyCar Series, a pit stop is a more complex operation than in NASCAR, but less so than in Formula One, with seven mechanics permitted over the pit wall. The pit rules have origins in USAC National Championship racing. A routine stop generally lasts between six and ten seconds.
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