In an interview on the program “Las tardes de RNE,” former Formula 1 chief mechanic Eduard Turón talks about his experience in the racing world and offers interesting details about the work behind the scenes. Turón started at the Spanish HRT team before being signed by the Toro Rosso Red Bull team, where he worked for seven years. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he worked directly with driver Max Verstappen. In addition, Turon shares that being a Formula 1 mechanic is a very tough and exhausting profession, as it requires long hours away from home, constant travel, and little free time.
The former chief mechanic also discusses the day-to-day operations of a Formula 1 racing team, which can number 400 to 1,000 people, but only 60 to 70 work in a race. The factory has 24-hour shifts to produce parts, and pit stop training tests are often conducted both on the track and in the gym. In addition, Turon reveals that the mechanics study their reaction capacity and response time in various situations.
Another interesting detail is that the box where the mechanics work and the pit stop takes place is assembled and disassembled by another team. In a pit stop, more than 20 people work on the single-seater, each with his or her own specific function. The tires are stored in carts with lights indicating their type, and the driver knows he can leave when the light turns green. When the race is over, the car is dismantled for transport. Each part of a single-seater has different versions, and they are tested depending on the circuit or the circumstances of the day. Finally, keeping everything clean in the pit is crucial to detect any possible faults in the car.