Undercut

Pierre Gasly pit stop with the Toro Rosso STR13

Undercut is a term commonly used in Formula 1 Grand Prix racing, referring to a strategic pit stop maneuver aimed at gaining an advantage over an opponent. It involves pitting earlier than your opponent to gain a speed advantage, and then hoping that your opponent pits later, so you can gain a position on the track.

When a driver pits, they lose time as they have to slow down and make a stop, while the other drivers who don't pit continue to race around the track. However, if the driver who pitted can gain enough speed on fresh tires, they can make up the lost time and potentially pass their opponent, as their opponent has to pit at some point as well.

The term "undercut" refers to the tactic of pitting earlier than your opponent in order to gain an advantage over them, by essentially "cutting" their race pace. This is done by taking advantage of the fresher tires, which can provide better grip and speed, especially in the early laps after a pit stop.

To execute an undercut, a driver must be able to maintain a fast pace in the laps leading up to the pit stop, in order to make up the lost time. Additionally, the driver's team must also perform a quick and efficient pit stop, to minimize the amount of time lost during the stop.

The undercut is not always successful, as the opponent may pit earlier or later than expected, or may simply have a faster pace on the track. However, it remains a popular tactic in Formula 1 racing, as it can be a quick and effective way to gain an advantage over opponents.

Overall, the undercut is an important aspect of strategic racing in Formula 1, and requires a combination of driver skill, team coordination, and timing to execute successfully.