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Unraveling the True Cost of a Pit Stop in F1

Norris's Baku Misfortune: Was the Pit Stop to Blame?

Lando Norris, finishing seventh in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, was unable to capitalize on the early retirement of his teammate Oscar Piastri. Many speculated that a slow pit stop during the race was a key factor in his inability to advance further. However, a closer look at the race dynamics suggests otherwise.

Initial Race Dynamics and Qualifying Woes

Both McLaren drivers started out of position due to qualifying challenges. Piastri's crash in Q3 and Norris's failure to fully exploit track evolution meant a less-than-ideal grid placement. Norris, starting seventh, quickly dropped a position to Isack Hadjar on the opening lap, while Piastri’s start was compromised, leading to an impact with the wall and a safety car deployment.

Struggles on Track and the Leclerc Challenge

Upon race resumption, Norris was slow to react, ceding another position to Charles Leclerc. Although both drivers later benefited from Hadjar's error, Norris found himself unable to overtake Leclerc. He then became part of a DRS train behind Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull, making little progress even after Leclerc made his pit stop at the end of lap 19.

The Crucial Pit Stop and Its Aftermath

The turning point appeared to be Norris's pit stop on lap 37 for hard-compound tires. A malfunction with the front-right wheel gun caused a four-second delay, doubling the usual pit stop time. Norris re-entered the track directly behind Liam Lawson and Charles Leclerc, leading to immediate assumptions that the pit stop cost him two positions.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images

The Reality of the Pit Stop's Impact

Despite initial public perception and commentary, a closer examination of the lap times around Norris's pit stop reveals a different story. Norris was 1.9 seconds behind Tsunoda before his stop and 1.8 seconds behind Leclerc after rejoining. This suggests that even a flawless two-second pit stop would have likely placed him alongside Leclerc, not ahead of Lawson. Therefore, the pit stop itself did not directly cost Norris two positions.

Stella's Assessment: Car Pace Over Pit Stops

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella initially downplayed the pit stop's effect, stating that the car's overall pace was the primary limiting factor. He emphasized that even with a perfect pit stop, the car's performance characteristics were not suited for the Baku track. Stella later slightly adjusted his stance, acknowledging the need for further investigation into whether a quicker stop could have altered Norris's position relative to Ferrari.

Andrea Stella, McLaren

Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 / Getty Images

The Persistent Issue of Pit Stop Efficiency

Despite the recent pit stop issues not being the sole cause of Norris's result in Baku, the McLaren team recognizes the critical need to improve pit stop efficiency. Having faced similar problems in previous races, the team plans to dedicate significant effort to refining both the execution and hardware involved in pit stops. This ongoing commitment is crucial in the increasingly competitive Formula 1 landscape, where even fractions of a second can sway race outcomes.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Team Penske showcased their dominance at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, culminating in Ryan Blaney's impressive victory. After starting from the front row alongside teammate Joey Logano, Blaney expertly navigated the challenging race, securing his third win of the 2025 season. This triumph not only highlights his exceptional driving skills but also guarantees his advancement to the next round of the playoffs, bringing him closer to a potential second championship.

The race was not without its share of drama and strategic maneuvers. Blaney, despite an initial slip, quickly found his rhythm and took the lead in Stage 1, skillfully avoiding a close call with another driver's spin. The second stage saw unexpected incidents, including a significant on-track disagreement between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, and a multi-car pileup initiated by Brad Keselowski. Through it all, Team Penske maintained its strong performance, with Joey Logano also showing formidable pace, leading laps and winning Stage 2.

In the decisive final stage, Blaney retook the lead and successfully managed his car through critical green-flag pit stops. He held off a strong challenge from Josh Berry in the closing laps, who, despite an early spin, mounted a commendable recovery to finish second. This hard-fought victory underscores Blaney's composure under pressure and the strategic prowess of his team, ultimately delivering a memorable win.

This victory exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and teamwork in motorsports. Despite various on-track challenges and intense competition, Ryan Blaney and Team Penske demonstrated their commitment to excellence and their ability to overcome adversity. Such performances inspire not only those within the sport but also serve as a powerful reminder that dedication, skill, and strategic planning are key to achieving success and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.