Wielsgewissel

Wielsgewissel is a Dutch term that translates to "wheel change" or "wheel swap." It most commonly refers to the act of changing a tire on a vehicle. This can be a necessary maintenance task to replace a damaged or worn-out tire, or it can refer to the strategic changing of tires during a sporting event like a Formula 1 race. In the context of vehicle maintenance, a wielsgewissel involves safely lifting the vehicle, removing the old wheel, and attaching a new one, followed by lowering the vehicle and tightening the lug nuts. This process requires specific tools such as a jack, lug wrench, and potentially a torque wrench.

In motorsport, the term "wielsgewissel" specifically denotes the rapid tire changes performed by pit crews during a race. These pit stops are crucial for optimizing a vehicle's performance by fitting fresh tires suitable for changing track conditions or for strategic advantage. The efficiency and speed of a wielsgewissel in a race can significantly impact the outcome, with pit crews undergoing extensive training to achieve split-second tire changes. The term is deeply embedded in the automotive and motorsports vocabulary in the Netherlands.