Formula 1 Pit Stops: 1950 vs. 2013

This great footage juxtaposes a Formula 1 pit stop from the 1950 Indianapolis 500 with that of the 2013 Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix. The 1950s video shows one member of the pit crew taking 67 seconds to change just two tires while another crew member gives the driver a refreshing drink and cleans the windscreen.

There hardly seems to be a sense of urgency at all. In 2013, the crew takes just about 3 seconds to change all four tires – hardly enough time to downshift back to first gear. It’s interesting that the 1950 voiceover announcer says that only four crew members are allowed to work on the car but in 2013 we count 19 or 20 people who actually touch the car.