Undercut vs Overcut

Formula 1 is not just about speed and engines, it is a sport involving strategy, precision and split-second decision making. While it is the high-speed duels and roar of the engines that attract the fans, the real decisions that shape the race often happen in the pit lane. Deciding when to change tires, how long to stay on track and which strategy to follow can change the outcome of a race completely. It doesn't matter how fast your car is, if a bad pitstop strategy puts you at the back of the field.

Factors Influencing F1 Race Strategy

Tire degradation is one of the most important factors that decide race strategy. As the tires wear down over laps, their grip decreases which cause slower lap times. Teams will carefully monitor the t ire degradation to decide the best times for a pit stop. Fuel management is another crucial factor. A lighter fuel load makes the car faster, while a heavier load can slow the car and increase tire wear. Drivers and teams must balance fuel management along with tire degradation ensuring they finish the race while maintaining competitive times. Influenced by these factors, teams choose between two pit stop strategies: the undercut and the overcut.

The Undercut Strategy

The undercut is a strategy which is when a driver will pit earlier than his opponent so that he can take advantage of fresher tires, which will put the driver in a position to post faster lap times while the rival stays out on older tires. This helps the driver to gain positions once his rival eventually pits. A perfect example of this is the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel used the undercut to secure a race victory. Vettel was running third, behind Lewis Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. On Lap 19, Vettel was pitted earlier than Leclerc which gave him a lap on fresh tires and crucially, clean air. Ferrari did bring Leclerc in the very next lap, but Vettel's new tire pace was so strong that he emerged ahead of his teammate after both stops. The undercut was the perfect strategic move due to tire performance and the track at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Overcut Strategy

The overcut is a strategy which means staying out longer on worn ties, trying to maintain track position. The success of an overcut is dependent on running in clean air. When executed properly, drivers can deliver competitive lap times on older tires while their rivals struggle to warm up their fresher tires. An iconic overcut was used by Kimi Räikkönen during the final race of the 2007 Formula One World Championship. Kimi started the final race third in the championship standings. In the final race in Brazil, Ferrari and Kimi used an overcut, staying out longer to gain the lead, to secure the championship. In the second round of stops, Räikkönen was able to stay out for a few more laps. He stayed out on worn tires but maintained competitive laps and by delaying his stop, Räikkönen overtook his championship rivals and secured the championship by just a single point.

Pit stop strategies have changed the outcome of races and sometimes, even championships. F1 is as much about strategy as speed. Teams analyse tire performance, fuel load and track conditions to decide the best strategy which will provide the best chance of success.