Overcut

An overcut is a racing strategy where a driver stays on track longer than their competitors before making a pit stop, aiming to gain track position when they eventually do pit.

Think of it like this: when your competitor goes into the pits for fresh tires, you stay out on the track with your older tires. While they're changing tires and getting back up to speed, you're pushing hard on track to build up enough time advantage that when you finally pit, you'll come out ahead of them.

The overcut works because of several factors. First, when your competitor pits, you suddenly have clear track ahead of you without anyone slowing you down. This "clean air" lets you drive faster lap times. Second, your car gets lighter as it burns fuel, making it quicker. Third, your competitor needs time to warm up their brand new tires to get maximum grip.

This strategy is most effective on certain types of race tracks. It works best where tires don't wear out quickly, meaning you can stay out longer without losing too much speed. It's also popular at tracks like Monaco where it's nearly impossible to overtake on track, so gaining position through pit strategy becomes crucial.

The overcut is actually less common than its opposite, the "undercut," where drivers pit early to gain advantage. Weather conditions play a big role too - in cooler conditions, fresh tires take longer to reach optimal temperature, giving the overcut strategy more time to work.

A famous example happened at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Sergio Perez successfully used an overcut strategy against Lewis Hamilton. By staying out longer and managing his tires well, Perez was able to pit later and emerge ahead of Hamilton, ultimately helping him win the race.

The key to a successful overcut is tire management - the driver must maintain competitive lap times on worn tires while their competitor struggles with cold, fresh rubber.