In the 1950s a typical Formula 1 pit stop could take over a minute, but in 2019 Red Bull changed all four tires in just 1.82 seconds. This incredible improvement is not just a feat of technology or a huge budget; there are valuable lessons for businesses to learn from the F1 pit stop, with direct applications outside of the motorsport industry.
At the heart of the F1 pit stop is a clear understanding that success comes from doing a few things exceptionally well. Each of the (usual) 20 mechanics is responsible for one single specific task, from operating the wheel gun to lowering the front of the car. Their roles are not just well defined, they are well practiced – with a relentless strive for marginal gains. The key takeaway for businesses is focused preparation, which can be distilled into three actionable steps:
1 – Identify Your Core Processes:
In a F1 pit stop, every action is critical, but not all actions are equally important. Resources have been allocated to processes which have the greatest impact on the pit stop time. For example, 12 of the 20 mechanics are responsible for the tyre change. Just as a F1 team focuses on the critical components of the pit stop, businesses must identify their own core processes – ones with the most significant impact on performance. This means understanding which activities directly contribute to strategic objectives and customer satisfaction.
2 – Specialise:
Once the core processes have been identified, businesses can focus on specialisation. The benefit of specialisation is simple, each team member can focus on mastering their specific task with maximum efficiency. But how can businesses achieve the same level of specialisation as a F1 pit crew? Firstly, you should develop a targeted training plan with an emphasis on filling gaps in ability and specialising your workforce. Always remember to keep the core processes in mind, because before understanding these it is impossible to create an appropriate training plan or know which activities to specialise in. Training in this way doesn’t require an F1 budget, but it does demand a commitment to continuous improvement.
3 – Continuous Improvement:
In a situation where every millisecond matters, F1 teams are constantly striving to find ways to shave off time. This translates to a culture of continuous improvement. Businesses should implement a way to regularly review and refine their core processes. Define the review cycle, use data to track performance, identify the bottlenecks, and experiment with small changes. Encourage everyone in your team to contribute ideas for how processes can be refined – even small changes can lead to significant long-term gains.
Turn Focused Preparation into Competitive Advantage
Despite a relative abundance of resource, the F1 pit stop teaches us that you don’t need vast resources to achieve operational excellence. Instead, by focusing intensely on what matters most, training your teams to be experts in their roles, and continuously refining processes, you too can drive significant improvements in productivity.
So, the next time you’re faced with an operational challenge, perhaps think like a F1 pit crew. Ask yourself: What are my core processes? Could I provide specialist training to unlock additional efficiencies? Where can I make small optimisations to enable continuous improvement? With this mindset you can confidently drive a business forward by applying the principles learned from the world of the Formula 1.
