Choosing the optimum pit strategy of how many stops to make and when to make them is crucial in having a successful race. Teams will aim for each of their vehicles to pit following a planned schedule, with the number of stops determined by many factors, such as fuel capacity, tyre lifespan, and the trade-off between time lost in the pits versus time gained on the track due to the benefits of pit stops. Changing tyres is also common, to permit the use of softer tyres that wear faster but provide more grip, to use tyres suitable for wet conditions, or to use a range of tyres designated by the rules. Carrying fuel slows down a vehicle, and there is often a limit on the size of the fuel tank, so many races require multiple stops for fuel to complete the race distance in the minimum time. Where it is permitted, refuelling is often an important purpose of a pit stop. It is important to note that in NASCAR, a pit box is a tool (see below), though there is a definitive term used for them. A further difference is that in British English, the term "pit box" is universally used, whereas in American English, one would say "pit stall". In American English, it is common to drop the definite article and just refer to " pit road", whereas in British English one would always refer to " the pit lane". Circuits in other parts of the world (used in Formula One) typically have the individual garages open directly onto the pit lane through the team's assigned pit box. In races where there are different series racing together, each series has its own separate garage or are parked in their own area. Most North American circuits feature a pit lane with a number of pit stalls (typically 30–50) and a pit wall that separates the pit lane from the infield, with the garages (if used) on a separate road in the infield. In NASCAR and in INDYCAR's Indianapolis 500, typically pit assignments are made after qualifying, with the fastest qualifiers choosing their pit stall first. 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. Pit lane at the 2011 Australian Grand Prixĭepending on the circuit, the garage may be located on pit lane or in a separate area.
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