The pits — short for pit lane — is the area running alongside the main straight of a Formula 1 circuit where teams have their garages. Each team has a designated area, known as a pit box, where their mechanics are stationed with equipment and spare tyres. Drivers enter the pit lane when they need a tyre change, a repair, or to retire from the race. The pit lane has a strict speed limit — typically 60 km/h or 80 km/h — that all drivers must obey.
Example: He’s coming into the pits — the team have his tyres ready and are standing by for a lightning-fast stop.
The pits and the paddock are often used loosely, but they are different areas. The pit lane is where the cars stop; the paddock is the broader area behind it where motorhomes and engineering facilities are located.
See Also: