Audi achieves rapid F1 pit stop improvements under former Red Bull mechanic

Audi has achieved a significant improvement in Formula 1 pit stop performance, transitioning from technical struggles to becoming one of the fastest crews on the grid. This turnaround follows the recruitment of Lee Stevenson, a former Red Bull Racing chief mechanic who worked with Max Verstappen, to the team formerly known as Sauber.

In 2024, the Sauber-operated team faced frequent issues with tire changes, including cross-threading problems caused by the use of lighter wheel nuts and hubs. These technical failures led to extremely slow stops, such as a 52-second delay for Valtteri Bottas in Bahrain, and even a fine in Melbourne after a wheel nut was left on the track.

Under Stevenson's influence, the team's efficiency has surged. Recent performances include a race-best 2.30-second stop for Nico Hülkenberg at Zandvoort and a 2.44-second stop at Monza. At the Madrid Grand Prix, Audi secured the third and fourth fastest stops of the race with times of 2.34 and 2.38 seconds, respectively.