DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award: 2016 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

The premier series in motor racing lined up in the desert for the first night race of the 2016 season, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg took the win in the second race of the year, but it was Williams who achieved the fastest pit stop.

The Williams pit crew turned around the FW38 of Felipe Massa in a mere 2.27 seconds on his first stop, setting a new record for the 2016 season. The second-fastest pit stop time also went to Williams. Brazilian driver Massa was stationary for 2.32 seconds on his second stop which ranks as the second-fastest time so far of the 2016 season and is testament to their hard work over the winter. Red Bull Racing slotted into third place. The team were only marginally down on fastest time with Daniil Kvyat's first pit stop which lasted 2.54 seconds.

Drivers headed for the pit lane 53 times in total during the 57 laps of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. 19 of the pit stops were completed in less than three seconds by crews. Drivers covered the 420-meter long pit lane of the Bahrain International Circuit which is subject to a speed limit of 80 km/h in 18.9 seconds on average.

The Haas F1 pit crew saw some real action in the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix for the first time ever. Esteban Gutierrez was forced to retire on the opening weekend, and the team had changed the tires of teammate Romain Grosjean during the red flag period. The crew achieved their fastest pitstop time of 3:11 seconds at the Bahrain International Circuit. The pit crew had already completed numerous test pit stops over the winter and during testing and were well prepared.

Change of strategy at head of field 

The optimal strategy for the second race of the 2016 season in the premier class of motor sport was considered to be a three-stopper. However, race winner Nico Rosberg's original plan called for only two stops, which involved racing on softs initially and then switching to the medium tire compound.

As the race developed, though, the primary concern at the Silver Arrows pit wall was to move teammate Lewis Hamilton back up into second place after a faltering start. For this reason, Mercedes AMG PETRONAS deployed an alternative strategy which Ferrari eventually followed in order to fend off Hamilton who was fast approaching. As a consequence, Rosberg's tactics also had to be adapted to cover Kimi Räikkönen in second place.

Ultimately, the Silver Arrows' plan was only partly successful. Although Rosberg remained unchallenged out in front, Hamilton did not manage to mount an attack on Räikkönen's Ferrari and finished the race in third place.