In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where victories are often measured in milliseconds, the evolution of pit stops has been a captivating journey defined by technological ingenuity and strategic innovation. From the early 20th-century on-the-road repairs to the current era of sub-two-second pit stops, the quest for speed has propelled F1 teams to push the boundaries of efficiency.

Just recently, McLaren set a new record with a sub-2-second pit stop at the Qatar GP, a swift 1.8-second stop, eclipsing Red Bull’s prior record. The first measured and recorded pit stop occurred in the 1950s, marking the onset of precise timing in Formula 1. Pit stops embody the art of speed and precision, with each fraction of a second saved contributing to race success.

Yet, within the exhilarating history of F1, there exists a counterpoint to these lightning-fast transitions. Pit stops have, on occasion, transformed into epic sagas, challenging the resilience of teams and captivating fans with their unpredictability. Explore the agonizing F1 sagas of elongated pit stops that dashed the dreams and where every tick amplified tension.

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Here is a list of top-9 longest pit stops in F1

1) Daniel Ricciardo – Monaco GP (2016):

In the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo‘s fortunes took a nosedive during a critical pitstop. Leading the race, he dove into the pits on lap 33 for a crucial tire change, only to face a nightmarish delay. The required tires were trapped at the back of the garage, costing Ricciardo around 10 seconds. This blunder allowed Lewis Hamilton to seize the lead and ultimately claim victory. Expressing frustration, Ricciardo believed Red Bull let him down for the second consecutive race.

The Australian’s race was hampered at the Spanish GP a weekend before Montecarlo due to a pitstop blunder. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, attributed the mishap to garage arrangements, prompting procedural changes to prevent a recurrence. Ricciardo’s post-race admission hinted at shared responsibility for the pitstop mishap. The Red Bull team has earned the fame of being the team with the quickest stops, but this was one of their few disastrous ones. Ricciardo sought redemption two years later by winning the race in 2018.

2) Valtteri Bottas – Sakhir GP (2020):

In the dramatic 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Mercedes’ typically flawless pit crew encountered a catastrophic error, severely impacting Valtteri Bottas‘ race. During a double-stack pit stop under a Safety Car, a miscommunication led to the wrong tires being fitted on Bottas’ car, forcing him to continue on worn-out hard tires. The pitstop lasted for an agonizingly 27 seconds for the Fin.

The chaos not only compromised Bottas’ performance but also triggered a domino effect, impacting his single-race’s teammate George Russell’s bid for victory. The agonizingly long pit stop left Bottas struggling on suboptimal tires, altering the race dynamics and contributing to a series of unfortunate events for the Mercedes team, ultimately reshaping the narrative of what could have been a routine race for the dominant outfit.

3) Eddie Irvine – European GP (1999):

The 1999 F1 European Grand Prix witnessed Eddie Irvine’s struggle in wet conditions. Communicating the need for wet tires, Irvine entered the pits earlier than planned. However, the pit crew’s blunder became apparent as they emerged with only three wet tires. A delayed realization and a time-consuming debate over tire sets saw Irvine stranded for almost 30 seconds. The mishap unfolded amidst wet conditions, and Irvine, struggling on the track, finished out of points, affecting his championship standings.

4) Antonio Giovanazzi – Spanish GP (2021):

During the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix, Antonio Giovinazzi‘s race took a turn for the worse during a pit stop. Being the first to pit due to Yuki Tsunoda’s on-track retirement triggering a safety car, the Italian faced a series of setbacks. A crew member noticed a flat tire, forcing an aborted change and a subsequent delay to retrieve a second set of tires. The Italian suffered a 35-second pitstop, making it the longest of the season.

Compounded by following an FIA delta behind the safety car and a malfunctioning steering wheel, Giovinazzi lost strategic advantage. Despite being heralded as an underestimated driver by Alfa Romeo’s technical director, the operational issue left him finishing 15th.

5) Esteban Tuero – Argentina GP (1998):

In 1998, Esteban Tuero, the young Argentine racing driver, faced a disastrous home Grand Prix in Buenos Aires. During a pit stop for new tires, the Minardi crew’s ill-preparedness led to a nightmare scenario. Struggling to assemble the tire set, the team notably brought out the front right exceptionally late. Tuero, waiting for 42 agonizing seconds in the pit lane, was finally released. However, the extended pit stop proved fruitless as he retired later in the race, spinning off the track.

6) Lewis Hamilton – Hockenheim, German GP (2019):

The 2019 German Grand Prix witnessed a nightmare for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton endured a 50-second pit stop, unraveling the team’s home race. Hamilton’s unscheduled stop, prompted by a crash, created chaos as the team grappled with tire choices and a broken front wing. The team struggled with a cross-threaded right front wheel nut. The team’s efforts to rectify the issue with a backup wheel gun added significant time.

Compounded by the need for a front wing replacement due to an earlier collision, the pitstop exceeded 50 seconds, relegating Hamilton from the race lead to the back. Despite contemplating retirement, Hamilton persevered, showcasing resilience by clawing his way to a ninth-place finish, salvaging two crucial points in a race marred by unforeseen challenges.

7) Juan Manuel Fangio – Nürburgring, German GP  (1957):

In the hallowed halls of F1 history, the 1957 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring stands out as a testament to the extraordinary skill of Juan Manuel Fangio. In a race where pit stops were not the norm, Fangio, observing the Ferrari drivers, opted for a strategic pit stop on lap 13 of a 22-lap race. However, disaster struck as a rear left wheel nut rolled under the car, leading to a prolonged delay that lasted for over a minute. Fangio re-entered the race 48 seconds behind the second-placed car.

What ensued was nothing short of miraculous. Fangio, undeterred by the setback, embarked on a mesmerizing charge. Over the final nine laps, he shattered the Nürburgring track record seven times, showcasing unparalleled skill and determination. Overtaking rivals with precision, Fangio clinched victory in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drives ever.

8) Rubens Barrichello – Malaysian GP (2001):

The 2001 Malaysian Grand Prix witnessed a pit stop saga involving Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello. Amid rain-soaked chaos, Ferrari called Barrichello and Michael Schumacher into the pits for a double-stack pit stop. However, the team’s unpreparedness with tires for Barrichello led to a fumbled search in the garage, resulting in a pit stop extending beyond a minute.

The prolonged delay dropped Barrichello from third to 11th on the grid. Despite the setback, Barrichello showcased resilience, recovering to finish second. However, the agonizing pit stop had cost him a shot at victory. Schumacher overcame obstacles, seizing the lead from Coulthard, and marked his sixth consecutive win from pole position, breaking a joint record with Nigel Mansell and Alberto Ascari.

9) Valtteri Bottas – Monaco GP (2021):

The streets of Monaco, notorious for their unforgiving nature, witnessed Valtteri Bottas’s pit stop saga in the 2021 edition. Running in second place, the then Mercedes driver, Bottas, entered the pits on Lap 30. A routine stop became a nightmare when the right front tire adamantly refused to budge. The team sent the car, along with the stuck wheel, to the Mercedes’ Brackley factory. With extensive work, the team successfully extracted the nut.

The stuck wheel nut held Bottas hostage for 43 hours and 15 minutes, making it the longest pit stop in F1 history. The misfortune denied Bottas a potential victory and was a stark reminder of the fine line between success and heartbreak in F1. Max Verstappen won the race and the title that season.

Longest pit stop under unusual circumstances:

1. Skip Barber’s 1972 Canadian GP:

Skip Barber faced a challenging ordeal during the 1972 Canadian Grand Prix, plagued by throttle problems that led to a prolonged pit stop. The exact duration remains unmentioned, but the repercussions were significant. Finishing a staggering 56 laps behind the leader, Barber’s race showcased the trials F1 drivers endure, emphasizing the importance of seamless pit stops in minimizing setbacks and maximizing performance.

2. Kimi Raikkonen’s Baku 2017:

The Baku Grand Prix in 2017 witnessed Kimi Raikkonen‘s unusual pit stop involving a floor change. Amidst a red-flag period lasting over 20 minutes, teams made substantial repairs and adjustments. Räikkönen’s floor replacement became part of this extraordinary pit lane activity. The red-flag scenario allowed him to rejoin the race, although a lap down. This event underscores the strategic nuances and unpredictable nature of Formula 1.

3. Sergio Perez’s Japanese GP (2023):

Sergio Perez‘s Japanese Grand Prix journey unfolded as a remarkable and controversial event. From early damage to a front-wing collision with Kevin Magnussen, the saga included a unique twist. After initially retiring, Perez returned solely to serve a penalty, exploiting a loophole in the rules. The FIA’s clarification underscored the need for swift action to maintain fairness. The Mexican came in as retirement on lap 15 but rejoined the track after nearly 40 minutes on lap 43 of the race.

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