In the world of professional sports, salaries are often kept under wraps. But for Formula 1 fans, one question always lingers: how much do the pit crew earn? Turns out, it’s a pretty lucrative career path. Considering the role of the pit crew is crucial to a team’s success, it’s no surprise that they’re well-compensated for their efforts.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how much does Formula 1 team pit crew earn in 2024? and explore just what goes into making this kind of money.
We’ll also look at what it takes to be a member of a Formula 1 pit crew and different responsibilities they have. Stay tuned!
F1 Pit Crew Salary 2024
Here’s a list of the yearly salaries for each position on an F1 team’s pit crew, based on information from online sources:
| Pit Crew Member | Per Race | Annual Salary | Race Winning Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Chief | $10,000 | $1 Million | $5,000 |
| Refueling Person | $5,000 | $350,000 | $2,500 |
| Tire Changers | $5,000 | $350,000 | $2,500 |
| Tire Carriers | $3,500 | $270,000 | $2,500 |
| Jack Men | $3,000 | $150,000 | $500 |
| Wing Men | $3,000 | $150,000 | $500 |
| Stabilizer | $2,500 | $90,000 | $250 |
| Starter Man | $750 | $40,000 | $250 |
| Fire Extinguisher Man | $500 | $30,000 | $250 |
Different roles for F1 pit crew members
The major difference between the two, apart from one being the pinnacle of motorsport championships and the other like the new kid in town, is that Formula 1 is fuel-driven while Formula E cars are racing towards a cleaner future with their all-powered electric engine.
The table below categorizes the main differences between the two.
| Pit Crew Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Crew Chief | Crew Chief is the main person of the pit crew staff. He is the one who select tire changers, engineers before the race. |
| Refueling Person | The refueling person is responsible to refuel the car. They need to be quick enough to refuel 12 liters per second |
| Tire Changers | 4 people are Responsible for changing tires during a pit stop. |
| Tire Carriers | 8 Tire carrier assist the tire changers in uninstalling the old tire and install the new ones. |
| Jack Men | 2 jack men are responsible for lifting the car using a lever and then leveling the car back to resume the race. |
| Wing Men | They are responsible for adjusting front wing angle |
| Stabilizer | 2 stabilizers look after stabilizing the car from left, right and Centre. |
| Fire Extinguisher Man | They are the ones who are on standby to put off the fire in case of a fire outbreak. |
Crew chief
There’s a lot of responsibility that falls on the shoulders of a crew chief. Not only do they have to select the right tires for each race, but they also have to manage the pit crew and make sure that everything runs smoothly. As such, they are often some of the highest-paid members of an F1 team, considering the level of responsibility.
The crew chief is also responsible for communicating with the driver during a race. On top of all that, they also need to be able to make quick decisions in the heat of the moment – after all, every second counts in Formula 1!
Refueling person
One of the most important members of the pit crew is the refueling person. They are responsible for, you guessed it, refueling the car during a pit stop.
However, this is no longer done during races. Before 2010, when regulation changes to F1 races came into effect, this crew member had to be able to refuel vehicles at estimated rates of 12 liters of fuel per second.
Tyre changers
Tyre changing is one of the most important parts of a pit stop. After all, if the tyres are in bad shape, it can have a significant impact on the driver’s performance. Teams usually have four tyre changers, who are responsible for changing all four tyres of the car during a pit stop.
Tire carriers
In addition to tyre changers, there are also tire carriers. These crew members are responsible for carrying the tyres from the pit box to the car during a pit stop. There are usually eight tire carriers on a team.
While the tyre changers are responsible for actually changing the tyres, the carriers help to remove the old tyres and bring the new ones to the car. This helps to speed up the process and get the car back on track as quickly as possible.
Jack men
This crew member is responsible for operating the jack that lifts the car during a pit stop. There are usually two jack men on a team. They are in charge of using a lever to lift the car and then putting it back on its wheels so the driver can get back in the race. It’s important that they do this quickly and without any issues, as it can impact the driver’s performance.
Wing men
Nowadays, most cars have adjustable front wings. This allows the driver to change the angle of the front wing during a race, which can impact the aerodynamics of the car.
The wing men are responsible for adjusting the front wing during a pit stop. This is usually done based on the driver’s instructions, as they will know what angle is best for the current conditions. It’s a crucial part of the pit stop, as even a small change can make a big difference to the car’s performance.
Stabilizer
When a car comes into the pit, it needs to be made completely stable before the tyre changers can do their job. Otherwise, there is a risk of the car falling off the jack or something else going wrong.
That’s where the stabilizers come in. There are usually two stabilisers on a team, who are responsible for making sure the car is completely stable before the tyre changers start their work.
Fire extinguisher
Last but not least, there is the fire extinguisher. This crew member is responsible for, you guessed it, putting out fires. They also help to cool down the brakes after a pit stop, as they can get very hot.
It’s important to have a fire extinguisher on hand, as there is always a risk of fire when dealing with cars and petrol.
You never know when one of your connections might be able to help you land a spot on a Formula One pit crew.
How to be a pit crew member in Formula One?
Now that we’ve gone over the different roles of the pit crew, you might be wondering how you can become a member yourself. Now, we’ll be taking a look at what it takes to be a part of a Formula One pit crew, what the requirements are, and what the selection process is like.
What it takes to be a pit crew member?
The first thing you need to know is that being a part of a Formula One pit crew is not an easy task. It requires a lot of skill, athleticism, and quick thinking. You also need to be able to work well under pressure, as there is always a time crunch during a pit stop.
As a member of the pit crew, you wish for your driver’s success and strive to offer your best performance. In fact, pit crew members get incentives for winning races in addition to their regular pay. This amount ranges from $250 to $5,000 and is paid to the Crew Chief.
Where to start
First and foremost, it is important to remember that there is no set path to becoming a member of a Formula One pit crew. In most cases, crew members are hand-picked by the team’s management based on their skills and abilities.
Members of the pit crew typically come from a variety of backgrounds. Some of them might have previous experience working on cars, while others might have been athletes in their previous career. The important thing is that they have the necessary skills to do their job well.
So, how does one go about becoming a member of a Formula One pit crew? We’ve put together a few tips to help you get started.
Getting the right education
The first step is to get the right education. If you want to be a member of a Formula One pit crew, you need to have a strong understanding of how cars work. This means having a background in engineering or mechanics.
You can get this education by completing a degree at a university or college. Alternatively, you can also complete an apprenticeship with a team or manufacturer. Either way, it’s important that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do your job well.
Gaining experience
Once you have the right education, it’s time to start gaining some experience. The best way to do this is by working with a racing team. You can start out in lower-level motorsport series and work your way up from there.
As you gain more experience, you’ll start to learn the ins and outs of pit stops and how to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. This is the kind of experience that will be invaluable if you want to become a member of a Formula One pit crew.
Making connections
Finally, it’s important to make the right connections. In the world of motorsport, it’s all about who you know. So, try to get to know as many people in the industry as possible. Attend racing events, meet new people, and network as much as you can.
You never know when one of your connections might be able to help you land a spot on a Formula One pit crew.
Frequently asked questions about pit crew salaries in F1
Do F1 pit crew have other jobs?
How much do F1 pit crew members get paid?
How much do F1 tyre changers get paid?
Conclusion
So, there you have it. We’ve answered the question of how much an F1 pit crew member earns. It’s clear that these individuals are highly skilled and their salaries reflect that. If you want to be a part of this elite group of professionals, now you know what you need to earn! Do you have what it takes?
Also, read our article to find out how much Formula 1 drivers earn and how their salaries are ranked. You can also compare salaries and net worths of F1 Team Principals.
