Inlap

An inlap is the lap a racing driver completes when returning from the track to the pit lane, either for a pit stop during a race or at the end of a practice or qualifying session.

Think of the inlap as the journey home after a hard workout. Just as you wouldn't sprint right up to your front door after a long run, race car drivers use this lap to gradually bring their car and its components back to a safer operating state. During intense racing, parts like the engine, brakes, and tires reach extremely high temperatures, and the inlap provides crucial time to cool these components down.

The way drivers approach their inlap depends entirely on the situation. During practice and qualifying sessions, the inlap is typically slow and relaxed. Once a driver has completed their fast laps and set their best time, there's no reason to push the car hard anymore. They'll cruise back to the pits at a gentle pace, saving tire wear and allowing everything to cool down properly.

Race situations tell a completely different story. When a driver heads into the pits during a race, they often use the inlap as a "push lap" where they drive as fast as possible. This might seem counterintuitive, but there's smart strategy behind it. Since the team will be fitting fresh tires during the pit stop anyway, the driver can extract every bit of performance from the old tires without worrying about saving them. Every tenth of a second gained on this lap could mean the difference between emerging from the pits ahead of a rival or behind them.

For the pit crew, spotting their driver beginning an inlap is like hearing the starting gun. The moment they see their car starting the inlap, the crew springs into action. They'll gather fresh tires, prepare refueling equipment if needed, and position themselves ready for the pit stop. This preparation time is essential for executing a quick and efficient stop.

Television commentators often mention when a driver is "on their inlap," which helps viewers understand why that car might suddenly appear slower on the timing screens. It's not that the driver has a problem—they're simply making their way back to the pits as planned.

The opposite of an inlap is an outlap, which is the lap a driver takes when leaving the pit lane and returning to full racing speed on the track. Together, these two types of laps bookend every pit stop and mark the transitions between racing action and pit lane activity.