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Pit Window
Race Procedures
A Pit Window is the optimal time period during a race when drivers should make their pit stops for maximum strategic advantage.
During this window, teams balance factors like tire wear, fuel levels, and track position to determine the best moment to pit. For example, if a driver's tires are degrading after lap 20, their pit window might be between laps 20-25 to minimize time loss while maximizing fresh tire performance.
Pit windows can change dynamically with race conditions. A safety car deployment might create an unexpected "free" pit stop opportunity, while teams might deliberately pit early (undercut) or late (overcut) within the window to gain position against competitors.