Pneumatic Gun

A pneumatic gun, also known as a wheel gun or impact wrench, is a high-powered air tool used by pit crews during racing pit stops to quickly remove and install a race car's wheels in fractions of a second.

In professional motorsport, every millisecond counts during a pit stop. The pneumatic gun makes it possible for pit crews to change all four tires on a race car in just a few seconds. Without this specialized tool, teams would lose valuable time that could cost them positions or even the entire race.

These tools work similarly to the impact wrenches you might see in an auto repair shop, but they're far more powerful and precise. A pneumatic gun is powered by compressed gas, usually nitrogen, stored in pressurized tanks. When a crew member pulls the trigger, the compressed gas spins an internal motor at approximately 15,000 revolutions per minute, generating enough torque to loosen or tighten a wheel nut in less than half a second.

Teams prefer nitrogen over regular compressed air because it maintains consistent pressure regardless of temperature changes. Some teams experimented with helium to achieve even faster spinning speeds, but racing organizations banned it due to its excessive cost and its tendency to damage the tools.

Modern wheel guns feature sophisticated auto-switching technology. The first trigger pull automatically loosens the wheel nut, while the second pull tightens the new wheel into place. Many models include LED indicator lights that change color to communicate with the pit crew: white signals loosening mode, blue indicates tightening, and green confirms the wheel is properly secured.

These specialized tools are built from lightweight materials like titanium and carbon fiber, allowing pit crew members to operate them quickly without experiencing arm fatigue. Despite their durability, pneumatic guns require regular maintenance after approximately 250 uses due to the extreme conditions they endure during pit stops.

The cost reflects their specialized engineering. Formula 1 teams typically spend between $20,000 and $30,000 for a single pneumatic gun, with even the wheel sockets costing around $1,500 each. During a typical pit stop, each wheel has three dedicated crew members: one operates the pneumatic gun, another removes the old wheel, and a third installs the replacement.

Pneumatic guns became essential in Formula 1 after refueling was banned in 1994, shifting the focus of pit stop strategy entirely to tire changes. Before pneumatic technology, crews used manual methods like hammering wheels onto hubs, which was significantly slower and less precise. Today, specialized manufacturers like Dino Paoli Srl produce custom wheel guns tailored to the specific requirements of different racing series, supplying teams across Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar.