F1:
Deconstructed
New builds, new tires, a new defending champ—the 2022 F1 season is shaping up to be the most exciting yet.
New builds, new tires,
a new defending champ
If the first four races are anything to go by, the 2022 F1 season is shaping up to be another classic and with the paddock now rolling into the Magic City for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, the drama is set to continue.
Awaiting the drivers on Sunday May 8 is 57 laps of a custom-built city circuit snaking aroud the legendary Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team.
But before you settle in for wheel by wheel overtakes at speeds of up to 200mph, buckle up for a peek into pit stops and the cockpit, the evolution of Red Bull cars over the years—and more.
Anatomy of a pit stop
blink and you’ll miss it
Inside the cockpit
how well do you know your steering wheel?
evolution of Red bull cars
From 2005 to the 2021 championship win
Tire primer
your guide to burning rubber
2022 tire by
the numbers
It’s more than you’d think
anatomy of a
PIT STOP
Gone in 2 Seconds
When an F1 driver wheels into the pit lane, a high-stakes and dangerous dance begins. Success is measured in millimeters—and milliseconds. The goal: Remove and replace all four tires in the time it takes to read this sentence. Below we take an annotated look at the art of the pit stop.
Average F1 pit stop times (seconds) over the years
Red Bull Racing set the record for the fastest pit stop, ever—1.82 seconds—at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and has won the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award for four seasons running. In fact, Red Bull holds nine out of 10 of the records for fastest stop. Plus—no other pit crew has done its job in zero gravity, as the Red Bull team did in 2019.
*Hover to learn about the role of each position at the pit stop
Side stabilizer
Hold the body of the car steady so the rest of the crew can work.
EVOLUTION OF
RED BULL CARS
From its first full season in 2005 to its 2021 championship win—gathering eight others along the way—Red Bull Racing has evolved from a tough challenger into a reliable contender and now title defender. Here are a few Red Bull Racing milestones and livery landmarks.
RB1
2005
Red Bull Racing’s first car hits the track. At the Monaco Grand Prix, the livery features a “powered by the Dark Side” Star Wars promo, but even the Force couldn’t help the team to the podium.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2010
2015
2016
2018
2019
2021
Road Trip
Miami Style
inside the
COCKPIT
The fate of a race is at a driver’s fingertips; he’d better know his steering wheel. With more than 120 functions and around two dozen buttons, dials and paddles, it’s no easy feat. Get up to speed here with a Red Bull Racing steering wheel and its controls.
Wheel Talk
*Hover to learn about the buttons
tire
Primer
2022 is the 12th straight partnership season for Pirelli, Formula 1’s OG tire partner. This year has seen the introduction of Pirelli’s brand-new P Zero F1s, designed for endurance, less overheating and closer competition. Let’s have a closer look at the rubber keeping the cars on the track.
36
total days of
track testing
30
Types tested
on track
2030
year by which F1 aims to be carbon neutral
392
sets of tires used
70
Prototypes
developed
4,267
test laps driven
Slick tires
(dry weather)
Wet-weather tires
C1
The hardest tire option takes the longest to warm up but lasts longer. Good for hot locales.
C2
Hard but versatile tire.
C3
Its medium hardness means the C3 could be used as the softest tire in the range—or the hardest.
C4
On the softer side, this tire heats up quickly but is great on twisty circuits.
C5
Extra soft with super grip, it’s the fastest tire. The tradeoff: the shortest life span.
TIRE OFF (4)
Must remove tire as soon as the wheel nut is loosened and clear the used tire safely out of the way.
SPARE JACK
In place as a backup should something go wrong with main jack.
TIRE ON (4)
Fit a fresh tire on as quickly as possible. Crews have had to adjust to the new 18-inch versions mandated this season.
WHEEL GUNNERS
Use a pneumatic tool to loosen the wheel nut so the tire can be removed and then tighten when the new tire is in place. Calm nerves and a steady hand are key.
FRONT WING ADJUSTER (2)
Raises or lowers front flaps at the race engineer’s direction.
FRONT AND REAR JACKS
Lift and position the car so pit stop work can be done.
LOLLIPOP MAN
Monitors signals and controls car’s entry to pit lane traffic.
Driver enters the pit lane no faster than 60 kph.
Clear communications between team engineers, crew and driver are key.
The crew are always prepared to do a rare five-wheel pit stop: replacing all tires as well as the steeringwheel.
The driver must hit his mark exactly so crew members don’t lose valuable microseconds adjusting their positions.
As the crew works, the driver keeps the car in neutral and his foot on the brake.
RB16b
2021
In the electrifying final grand prix of the season, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen clinched a last lap victory over Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, nabbing the drivers’ championship.
RB15
2019
The first season with Honda engines had a livery highlight during a one-off filming day, featuring a striking pattern of red and dark blue chevrons (above).
RB14
2018
The Y-shaped “halo” bar atop the cockpit was introduced in 2018. Controversial at first, the halo soon proved effective at protecting drivers and improving safety.
RB12
2016
A partnership with Tag Heuer begins, and the livery goes matte for the first time, deepening the blue of the classic Red Bull scheme.
RB11
2015
The eye-catching (and detail-obscuring) black-and-white livery (above) used for testing at Jerez was dubbed “CamoBull”by the team
RB6
2010
After only a handful of years in F1, Red Bull Racing snags both drivers’ and constructors’ championships with the Renault engine, the start of a well-deserved win streak.
RB4
2008
A “shark fin” engine cover, so named for the shape of its profile, caused a stir with its debut, though the RB4 was generally considered a continuity car.
RB3
2007
Renault comes on board as engine partner. The team’s British Grand Prix livery (above) features thousands of fan photos to promote the Wings for Life charity, raising more than 1 million euros.
RB2
2006
Another Monaco Grand Prix, another promo livery—this time featuring Superman Returns. Red Bull’s David Coulthard (at right) flew to third and wore a red cape to the podium.
Adjustable tire settings
Battery charge dial (fillor drain)
Brake balance to adjust toward front or back
Clear sensor data
Limits speed when in pit lane
Confirm pit stop
Radio comms
Brake balance to adjust toward front or back
Delivers fluid through a tube that snakes from a vessel inside the cockpit wall, through the helmet, to the driver’s mouth
Fuel usage dial
Clutch adjustment dial
Engine mode selector
Reverse gear (with clutch) at back of wheel
Warm rear tires
Differential
adjustment
Neutral for pit stops
Data display, including speed, gear, delta, brake temps and battery charge
Shift indicator lights
Flush rim covers (not pictured) will reduce turbulence.
The new 18-inch tires add 5 inchesto the rim diameter over last season.
Tread width remains the same on both front and rear sets.
A higher, slimmer sidewall means improved agility and aerodynamics.
Intermediate:
designed for effectiveness in both wet and dry conditions.
Full wet:
For use in heavy rains or standing water, full wet tires are made to displace water and reduce potential of hydroplaning.
Author: Cat Auer
From 2005 to the 2021 championship win
It’s more than you’d think
Sergio Perez took on a road trip like no other ahead of the first ever Miami Grand Prix. Driving the RB7, ‘Checo’ sped around some iconic locations en route to the Miami International Autodrome circuit.
Can you beat
the pit stop record?
join pit stop challenge
WHEEL GUNNERS
TIRE ON (4)
FRONT WING ADJUSTER (2)
LOLLIPOP MAN
SPARE JACK
FRONT AND REAR JACKS
TIRE OFF (4)
Side stabilizer
road trip miami style
Team colors help drivers visually identify their garage so they don't pull into the wrong one - it doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
The compounds will be new but the grading remains the same; three types will be chosen for use in each race.
20
Gear shifters and clutch paddles at back of wheel
1970
2010
4.2
1985
8
1965
45
2010
2.5
SECS