Pitwall
Turn Claude into your F1 race engineer.
Real telemetry. Real strategy data. 75 years of history.
Quick Start
Claude Code — one command, all 79 tools:
claude mcp add pitwall -- uvx --from "f1pitwall[full]" f1pitwall
Then ask Claude: "Who won the 2025 Australian GP?"
Needs uv (curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh). No pip, no virtualenv, no "which python3" — and you always get the latest release.
First launch downloads the FastF1 stack (~540 MB) and takes about 25 seconds. Every launch after that is under a second. If the very first start times out, just restart Claude Code — the download is already cached.
Want the plugin instead, so you get the f1 skill along with the server? See Install as a Claude Code plugin.
Lighter install (30 tools, no plots)
Skips pandas/numpy/matplotlib/FastF1. Still includes all 16 live-timing tools.
claude mcp add pitwall -- uvx --from f1pitwall f1pitwall
Install with pip instead
pip install "f1pitwall[full]"
claude mcp add pitwall -- f1pitwall
Install from source instead
git clone https://github.com/darshjoshi/pitwall.git && cd pitwall
pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements-full.txt
claude mcp add pitwall -- python3 $(pwd)/pitwall.py
Install as a Claude Code plugin
The plugin ships the MCP server and the f1 skill together — the skill teaches Claude which of the 79 tools to reach for and how to explain F1 to someone who's never watched a race.
/plugin marketplace add darshjoshi/pitwall
/plugin install pitwall@pitwall
Claude Desktop
Add to claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config):
{
"mcpServers": {
"pitwall": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["--from", "f1pitwall[full]", "f1pitwall"]
}
}
}
Why Pitwall?
Claude knows F1 from training data — but it can't look up last week's race. It can't show you Verstappen's throttle trace through Turn 1. It doesn't know who pitted first or when the safety car came out.
Pitwall connects Claude to real F1 data:
- Real data, not hallucinations — actual timing feeds from formula1.com
- Lap-level telemetry — speed, RPM, throttle, brake, gear, DRS at 4Hz per car
- Visual plots — speed trace comparisons, gear shift maps returned as images
- 75 years of history — every race result and championship since 1950
- Fresh after every session — full telemetry and timing published ~30 min after each session ends, back to 2018
- Zero API keys — all core data is free, no account needed
What You Can Ask
"Who won the 2025 Australian GP?" → Race results and classification
"Verstappen's speed on lap 25 at Monaco" → Lap telemetry at 4Hz
"Plot Hamilton vs Norris speed trace" → Visual speed comparison chart
"Compare Ferrari's tyre strategy" → Stint-by-stint breakdown
"Who won the 1994 championship?" → 75 years of history
"When was the safety car at Silverstone?" → Race control messages and flags
See all example questions
| Question | Tool Used |
|---|
| "Who won the Chinese GP?" | get_standings |
| "What was Verstappen's speed on lap 25?" | get_telemetry |
| "Compare Hamilton vs Leclerc" | get_driver_comparison |
| "What tyres did everyone use?" | get_tyre_strategy |
| "Fastest pit stop at Australia 2025?" | get_pit_stops |
| "When was the safety car?" | get_race_control |
| "Was it raining during the race?" | get_weather |
| "Top speeds at Monza 2024?" | get_speed_traps |
| "Norris's lap times in the race" | get_lap_times |
| "Who won the 2005 championship?" | get_championship_standings |
| "Plot Verstappen vs Hamilton speed trace" | plot_telemetry_comparison |
| "Show me the gear shift map at Monaco" | plot_gear_shifts |
| "Who gained the most positions?" | compare_grid_to_finish |
| "Overtakes in the race" | detect_overtakes |
| "Compare Verstappen lap 5 vs lap 50" | plot_multi_telemetry_comparison |
| "Ferrari head-to-head in qualifying" | team_head_to_head |
| "Deleted laps in qualifying" | get_deleted_laps |
| "Gap to leader throughout the race" | get_gap_to_leader |
Features
79 tools across two modes. Pitwall auto-detects what's installed — no config changes needed.
pip install f1pitwall — light deps only (mcp, requests, plus websockets/aiohttp for live timing); no pandas/numpy/FastF1.
Race results, lap times, telemetry, tyre strategy, pit stops, weather, race control, speed traps, driver comparison, and historical data back to 1950. Plus 16 live-timing tools (running order, gaps, lap/sector times, tyres, weather, race control, speed traps, mini-sectors, …) that read F1's real-time SignalR feed during a session — no auth needed. (Live car telemetry + GPS are auth-gated and live in Full mode.) Uses F1's free static archive and the Jolpica API.
pip install -r requirements-full.txt — adds FastF1.
Everything in Lite, plus:
| Category | What You Get |
|---|
| Visual Plots | Speed trace comparisons, gear shift maps, multi-lap telemetry overlays |
| Deep Telemetry | Brake point analysis, RPM patterns, DRS usage, throttle traces |
| Advanced Strategy | Stint degradation, compound comparisons, tire age performance |
| Race Intelligence | Overtake detection, gap tracking, position changes, qualifying progression |
Full tool list (79 tools)
| Tool | Description |
|---|
list_seasons | Available seasons (2018-present) |
list_races | Full season calendar with dates |
get_race_info | Session details and available data feeds |
get_standings | Race classification — positions, gaps, best laps, pits |
get_lap_times | Lap-by-lap times, filterable by driver and lap range |
get_telemetry | Speed, RPM, throttle, brake, gear, DRS for a specific lap |
get_tyre_strategy | Compound, stint length, new/used for every driver |
get_pit_stops | All pit stops sorted by fastest |
get_race_control | Flags, penalties, safety cars, investigations |
get_weather | Air/track temp, rain, humidity, wind |
get_speed_traps | Speed at 4 measurement points per driver |
get_driver_comparison | Head-to-head: position, pace, strategy, pit stops |
get_historical_results | Race results from 1950 to present |
get_championship_standings | Driver/constructor championships from 1950+ |
Live Timing (lite — no auth, reads F1's real-time SignalR feed during a session)
| Tool | Description |
|---|
get_live_session_status | Session name, flag/track status, lap count |
get_live_positions | Live running order with gap + interval |
get_live_lap_times | Last + best lap per driver |
get_live_sector_times | Sector times + speed trap for one driver |
get_live_time_gaps | Gap to leader + interval to car ahead (mode-aware) |
get_live_best_sectors | Personal-best sectors + best lap, ranked |
get_live_speed_trap | Speed-trap (ST) ranking across the field |
get_live_speed_comparison | Best speed at I1/I2/FL/ST per driver |
get_live_tyres | Compound, age (laps), stint number per driver |
get_live_stint_history | Full compound sequence per driver |
get_live_pit_activity | Pit count + in-pit / out-lap flags |
get_live_weather | Air/track temp, humidity, wind, rain |
get_live_race_control | Flags, penalties, track-limit deletions, SC/VSC |
get_live_session_clock | Time remaining in the session |
get_live_track_status_history | Chronological track/session status log |
get_live_mini_sectors | Mini-sector status (green/purple/yellow) per driver |
| Category | Tools |
|---|
| Visual Plots | plot_telemetry_comparison, plot_gear_shifts, plot_multi_telemetry_comparison, plot_driver_telemetry_comparison |
| Telemetry Analysis | analyze_brake_points, analyze_rpm_data, analyze_drs_usage |
| Lap Analysis | get_lap_times_fastf1, get_deleted_laps, analyze_lap_consistency, get_fastest_sectors, get_personal_best_laps, compare_sector_times |
| Strategy | get_driver_tyre_detail, get_stint_analysis, compare_tire_compounds, compare_tire_age_performance, analyze_starting_tires, compare_strategies |
| Race Analysis | get_race_results, get_sprint_results, get_session_summary, get_fastest_lap_data, detect_overtakes, compare_grid_to_finish, get_qualifying_progression |
| Pit Stops | get_pit_stop_detail, get_fastest_pit_stops |
| Driver & Team | get_driver_info, get_driver_standings, get_constructor_standings, team_head_to_head, get_team_laps, analyze_long_run_pace |
| Track & Safety | get_circuit_info, get_track_status, get_track_record, get_race_control_messages, get_penalties, get_dnf_list |
| Speed & Position | get_speed_trap_comparison, get_position_changes, get_gap_to_leader |
| History | get_race_winners_history |
| Live (auth-gated) | get_live_telemetry, get_live_gps_positions — live car telemetry + GPS, need an F1 TV token |
| Session | get_schedule, get_session_info, get_weather_data |
Setup
macOS
Claude Code:
claude mcp add pitwall -- python3 /absolute/path/to/pitwall.py
Claude Desktop — add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"pitwall": {
"command": "python3",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/pitwall.py"]
}
}
}
Windows
1. Find your Python path:
This will return something like C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe or C:\Python313\python.exe.
2. Note where you cloned Pitwall:
For example: C:\Users\YourName\Projects\pitwall\pitwall.py
Claude Code (PowerShell):
claude mcp add pitwall -- python C:\Users\YourName\Projects\pitwall\pitwall.py
Claude Desktop — add to %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json:
To open this folder, press Win + R, type %APPDATA%\Claude, and hit Enter. If the Claude folder or claude_desktop_config.json doesn't exist, create them.
{
"mcpServers": {
"pitwall": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["C:\\Users\\YourName\\Projects\\pitwall\\pitwall.py"]
}
}
}
Note: Use double backslashes (\\) in the JSON path, or forward slashes (/) — both work. The command is python (not python3) on Windows.
Linux
Claude Code:
claude mcp add pitwall -- python3 /absolute/path/to/pitwall.py
Claude Desktop — add to ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"pitwall": {
"command": "python3",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/pitwall.py"]
}
}
}
Restart Claude Code or Claude Desktop after setup. Works with any MCP-compatible client.
Optional: Beginner-Friendly Skill (Claude Desktop)
Upload SKILL.md as a skill in Claude Desktop (Settings → Skills → Upload). Claude will explain F1 jargon inline — DRS, undercut, compound, safety car, etc.
Data Sources
All core data is free and requires no API keys.
| Source | Coverage | What it provides |
|---|
| F1 Static Live Timing | 2018-present | Telemetry, timing, strategy, pit stops, weather, race control |
| Jolpica-F1 | 1950-present | Historical results and championships |
| FastF1 (optional) | 2018-present | Enhanced telemetry analysis and visual plots |
| F1 SignalR Core (optional) | Live only | Real-time race data during active sessions |
How It Works
Pitwall reads from F1's publicly available static timing archive — the same data that powers the official F1 app. After each session ends (~30 minutes), F1 publishes 33 data feeds per session including full car telemetry (speed, RPM, throttle, brake, gear, DRS at ~4Hz per car), GPS positions, tyre data, pit stops, and race control messages.
The telemetry tool (get_telemetry) correlates the timing stream with the car data stream to extract telemetry for a specific driver on a specific lap — something no other F1 MCP server does.
Architecture
Claude ──MCP──> Pitwall ──HTTP──> livetiming.formula1.com/static/ (free)
──HTTP──> api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/ (free)
──lib──> FastF1 (optional, local)
──WS───> SignalR Core (optional, live races)
Running the Server
python3 pitwall.py
python3 pitwall.py --http
python3 pitwall.py --http --port 3000
Live Race Data
Pitwall includes a raw SignalR Core WebSocket client for real-time data during active F1 sessions. Most data is free — car telemetry and GPS require an F1 TV Pro or Premium subscription.
Note: The get_live_* MCP tools read this client's live SignalR feed directly. 16 timing tools (running order, gaps, lap/sector times, tyres, weather, race control, speed traps, mini-sectors, …) work in the lite install with no auth; live car telemetry and GPS (get_live_telemetry, get_live_gps_positions) need an F1 TV token and ship in the full install. Post-session data — telemetry, timing, strategy — also remains available through the main tools after each session ends.
What's free vs what needs F1 TV
| Data | Free | F1 TV |
|---|
| Race positions, gaps, lap times | Yes | Yes |
| Race control, flags, penalties | Yes | Yes |
| Weather, track status | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre compounds, stint info | Yes | Yes |
| Team radio URLs | Yes | Yes |
| Car telemetry (speed, RPM, throttle, brake) | No | Yes |
| GPS positions (X/Y/Z coordinates) | No | Yes |
All data (including telemetry and GPS) becomes free in the static archive ~30 minutes after a session ends.
Authentication setup
This opens a browser for F1 TV login. The token is saved locally:
<project_dir>/.f1token~/Library/Application Support/fastf1/f1auth.json (macOS)
Token expires every ~4 days. Re-run to refresh. Never uploaded anywhere.
Live client usage
import asyncio
from signalr_client import F1LiveClient
async def main():
client = F1LiveClient(no_auth=True)
@client.on("TimingData")
def on_timing(data, timestamp):
for num, info in data.get("Lines", {}).items():
print(f"P{info.get('Position','?')} #{num} Gap: {info.get('GapToLeader','')}")
@client.on("RaceControlMessages")
def on_rc(data, timestamp):
for msg in data.get("Messages", {}).values():
print(f"[{msg.get('Flag', '')}] {msg.get('Message', '')}")
await client.connect()
asyncio.run(main())
For full telemetry (speed, RPM, throttle, brake, GPS):
from auth_setup import load_token
client = F1LiveClient(no_auth=False, auth_token=load_token())
@client.on("CarData.z")
def on_telemetry(data, timestamp):
...
@client.on("Position.z")
def on_position(data, timestamp):
...
Reference
Race Names
Race names are fuzzy-matched. All of these work:
"china", "chinese", "shanghai" → Chinese Grand Prix
"australia", "melbourne", "aus" → Australian Grand Prix
"monaco", "monte carlo" → Monaco Grand Prix
"silverstone", "great britain", "british" → British Grand Prix
Driver Codes
VER = Verstappen HAM = Hamilton NOR = Norris LEC = Leclerc
ANT = Antonelli RUS = Russell PIA = Piastri BEA = Bearman
GAS = Gasly LAW = Lawson HAD = Hadjar SAI = Sainz
ALO = Alonso STR = Stroll OCO = Ocon BOT = Bottas
ALB = Albon HUL = Hulkenberg COL = Colapinto LIN = Lindblad
Project Files
| File | Purpose |
|---|
pitwall.py | MCP server — 79 tools, auto-degrades to 30 without FastF1 |
signalr_client.py | Raw SignalR Core WebSocket client for live race data |
decompressor.py | Zlib decompression for CarData.z / Position.z |
merger.py | Keyframe + delta state management for F1's incremental format |
topics.py | All 20 SignalR topics with auth/compression metadata |
auth_setup.py | F1 TV token setup — browser-based OAuth flow |
Contributing
Found a bug? Want to add a tool? Contributions are welcome.
- Fork the repo
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes
- Run the test suite:
python3 tests/pitwall_tool_validation.py
- Open a pull request
Credits
- FastF1 by @theOehrly — the gold standard F1 Python library
- Jolpica-F1 — the Ergast API successor
- drivenrajat/f1 — inspiration for FastF1 tool patterns
Built by
Darsh Joshi — AI Engineer
License
MIT