In the heat of Formula One motor racing, success and failure are separated by hundredths of a second and a poor decision on the part of either driver or pit crew is punished immediately and irrevocably.

A good decision, on the other hand, can lead to victory. In the 2005 F1 Grand Prix at Monte Carlo, Kimi Raikkonen was leading the race when an accident brought the safety car into play. Conventional wisdom at Monte Carlo, where the narrow streets make overtaking almost impossible, dictates that cars should head for the pits for refuellling and new tyres whenever the safety car is deployed.