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What is Undercut in Formula 1?

Pitting earlier than a rival ahead so that your fresh tyres gain you enough time on your out-lap and the laps that follow to emerge in front when the rival makes their own stop. It is the most common way to pass a slightly faster car without overtaking on track.

Example: Ferrari pulled off the undercut by pitting on lap 18, two laps before Red Bull reacted.

Related terms

Pole positionOvercutDirty airClean airParc ferméBoxDNFDelta
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