{"id":525,"date":"2023-11-17T12:00:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/?p=525"},"modified":"2023-11-17T12:18:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T12:18:37","slug":"what-is-an-in-lap-in-f1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/what-is-an-in-lap-in-f1","title":{"rendered":"What is an In Lap in F1?\u00a0- Unveiling the Secrets of Formula 1's In Lap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"546\" src=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-53.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-53.png 975w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-53-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-53-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Formula 1 has multiple lap types that you\u2019ll often hear about if you\u2019re a Formula 1 fan. Commentators will mention the hot lap, in lap, out lap, formation lap, <a href=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/what-is-an-installation-lap-in-f1\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"537\">installation lap<\/a>, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what do they mean? And what is an in lap in F1?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s what we\u2019re here to find out. Here\u2019s a summary of the most important ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/what-is-an-out-lap-in-f1\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"520\">Out Lap<\/a><\/strong> is the first lap that a driver performs after exiting the garage. Its purpose is to warm up the car\u2019s cold brakes and tyres before the Hot Lap (flying lap), to achieve maximum performance and speed. There are Out Laps in the Qualifying as well as the main race<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/what-is-a-hot-lap-in-f1\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"530\">Hot Lap<\/a> (Flying Lap or Fast Lap)<\/strong> is the lap immediately after the Out Lap, during the three Qualifying Sessions, when the driver will perform a lap around the circuit as fast as possible. This qualifying time determines each driver\u2019s starting position on the starting grid, which makes the Hot Lap the most important lap in F1 Qualifying Sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Lap (Push Lap)<\/strong> is the final lap coming after the Hot Lap in Qualifying or the lap before a driver wants to take a pit stop in the main race. During Qualifying, the driver will go slow to cool down the car, while in the main race, they\u2019ll go at maximum speed to compensate for lost time during the pit stop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I\u2019ll talk to you about the In Lap (Push Lap), see why it exists, its purpose, and how it helps Formula 1 drivers perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Types of In Laps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-52.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-52.png 975w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-52-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-52-768x466.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of In Laps. One is during the Qualifying Session, and the other is during the main race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, I\u2019ll explain how both of them function and the key differences between each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Qualifying In Lap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Qualifying and free practice sessions, the In Lap is the final lap immediately after the Hot Lap. At this time, the drivers have already gone at full speed for the Hot Lap (flying lap) to determine their starting positions on the grid with their lap times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the Hot Lap is done and their starting position on the starting grid has been settled, the driver takes the car back to the pit. To do that, they\u2019ll need to do another lap, which is the In Lap, to get back to the pits. This lap helps the car cool down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no need to keep the tyres and brakes warm because the next Qualifying Session, or next qualifying lap, won\u2019t begin immediately and won\u2019t be on the same tyres. Or, if it\u2019s the last Qualifying Session, the car won\u2019t be driven until the next day, at the main race on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-56.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-56.png 975w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-56-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-56-768x429.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Drivers won\u2019t go unnecessarily fast during the In Lap, and they\u2019ll also try to minimize tyre wear as much as possible. Worn tyres don\u2019t have as much grip, so they prefer to go slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though different types of tyres will be used for each Qualifying Session, it\u2019s still important to not wear them out because they may be used during the main race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to remember that drivers doing their In Laps are not allowed to get in the way of drivers on their Hot Laps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their teams will notify them on the radio if there\u2019s any incoming Hot Lap driver, and if there is, they\u2019ll have to pull over on the non-racing line to let the Hot Lap driver pass them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignoring these notifications or interfering with drivers doing their Hot Laps will result in penalties, usually&nbsp; 3-lap grid drop in the starting grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main Race In Lap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-54.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-54.png 975w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-54-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-54-768x401.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/oversteer48.com\/zandvoort-lap-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oversteer48.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the main race, the In Lap is the lap a driver takes when he wants to make a pit stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference between the Qualifying In Lap and the actual race In Lap is that, during the main race, the driver pushes the car's performance to its limits during the In Lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why the In Lap is also known as the Push Lap when in race conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They know that they\u2019ll waste precious seconds during pit stops, so they want to make up for it as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, they\u2019ll drive at top speed in the lap before pitting (In Lap), pushing the racing car to its limits. They also don\u2019t have to avoid wearing out the tyres, as they\u2019ll get new ones during the pit stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After they pit, they\u2019ll leave the garage and perform what is known as an Out Lap. The new tyres need to be brought up to temperature, so the driver can\u2019t go at full speed yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ll try to go as fast as they can on the Out Lap to get back to full speed as quickly as possible to avoid losing too much time in the race..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they\u2019ll still push the racing car a lot more than during a Qualifying Out Lap, similar to the In Lap in Qualifying vs. the main race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Importance of an In Lap During the Main Race<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"648\" src=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-55.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-55.png 975w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-55-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-55-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/alfa-romeo-second-driver-2022-f2\/6663167\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MotorSport.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The main race In Lap is much more important than the Qualifying In Lap. That\u2019s because the main race In Lap has to happen quickly to avoid wasting precious time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why the \u201cPit Stop Strategy\u201d was created, with the In Lap as its centrepiece. When the team announces a pit stop for the driver, the following things will happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The driver will adjust his driving style accordingly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The driver will push the car to the limit, trying to achieve a fastest lap and ignoring tyre wear<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The pit crew will prepare the tyres for the car during the pit stop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The driver will need to enter the pit box as efficiently as possible to minimize wasting time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finally, the pit crew will change the tyres, make a front wing flap adjustment if necessary, and the driver leaves the pit box into the pit lane<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The way the driver performs an In Lap and the length of the pit stop can vary depending on multiple factors like the driver\u2019s position on the track, the car\u2019s tyre wear, fuel levels, weather, track conditions and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The crucial part is taking all these elements into consideration and optimizing the entire process to help the driver cross the finish line in a Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Performing an efficient In Lap and Pit Stop are actually instrumental to achieving top performance during a Formula 1 Grand Prix and having a competitive advantage through optimum performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That's why Formula 1 drivers practice In Laps and pit stops during free practice sessions - to minimize mistakes during the actual race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between first place and second place can be as little as a second. So, one extra second spent in the Pit Stop due to a bad In Lap and not stopping at the correct point in the pit box can quite literally make you lose the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s how important the In Lap is for Formula 1 drivers and their teams!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Formula 1 has multiple lap types that you\u2019ll often hear about if you\u2019re a Formula 1 fan. Commentators will mention the hot lap, in lap, out lap, formation lap, installation lap, and so on. But what do they mean? And what is an in lap in F1? That\u2019s what we\u2019re here to find out. Here\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":675,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions\/675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/f1mix.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}