What Is a Pit Window in F1 Strategy?

A pit window is the range of laps during which a team has calculated it is optimal for their driver to make a pit stop. It is determined by factors including tyre degradation rate, fuel load, track position, and the likely actions of rival teams. Stopping too early can leave the driver with worn tyres at the end of the race; stopping too late risks losing performance or coming out behind slower traffic. Identifying the right pit window is one of the central challenges of race strategy.

Example: The team are monitoring his tyres closely — they expect the pit window to open in the next three to four laps.