THE Monaco Grand Prix is not only one of the most difficult for the F1 drivers, but also for their teams.
Modern F1 circuits have giant garages and ample parking spaces for the vast number of trucks.
But space is at a premium in Monte Carlo and it is cramped around the harbour, meaning teams face a logistical nightmare.
Sahara Force India pit crew member, Curtis Stones, speaking as part of the Farah menswear Race Ready series, said: “Logistics is the biggest change in Monaco.
“It is not a purpose build race track, it is garages in front of the harbour.
“It makes things difficult because the garage space is tight, so everything has to be in the right place at the right time.
“We have to know our jobs and know that the next man is going to do, so we have to work as efficiently as we can.
“We can’t bring as many trucks as we’d like to the race, so we have to sacrifice some equipment and we carry the bare minimum of spares.”
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Pit-stops are crucial at every race, but in Monaco’s cramped garages, the need for organisation and having a well-drilled team is vital.
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was denied an almost-certain win here last year when mechanics failed to retrieve his tyres from the rear of the garage.
It left the Aussie sitting waiting for new tyres, costing him time and he lost out on the lead to eventually race winner Lewis Hamilton.
Stones added: “We do about five hours or pitstop practice each week. An hour at a time and you can do up to 50 pit stops and hour.
“It is within our own interests to do as much as we can to make sure we can get a quicker pit-stop.
“We have 19 guys in the pit stop, three per corner, jackmen and car steadiers, plus the chief mechanic.
“We have a training programme for our pit crew. We are grouped into particular areas and exercise
Curtis Stones of Sahara Force India is part of the Farah menswear Race Ready series. To shop the collection, visit: http://www.farah.co.uk #RaceReadys to work particular muscles to make sure we are quick at the stops and help us stay injury free.”
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