Strategies will be one of the main variables of the 2024 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and here, among unknowns such as the hard tire and graining, is how many pit stops Pirelli recommends for the race at the Albert Park circuit.
The Melbourne track is set to offer a spectacular edition of the third Grand Prix of the 2024 Formula 1 world championship season. One of the keys to the Australian GP race is undoubtedly the strategies amidst unknowns and graining, so here is how many stops we will see in Melbourne.
The decision to opt for the softest compounds in the range has had its effects: the expected graining will prevent teams from aiming for just one stop. Moreover, a key role will be played by the hard tire: the C3 has been an unused tire by the teams so far, and it is highly likely that there will be two stints on this compound.
The ideal strategy involves starting on the C4 tire, with which all teams have conducted their race pace simulation during FP2, and then moving on to two stints on the C3s. An alternative involves reversing the first two stints, opting for a start on the C3, a stint on the C4, and finally returning to the C3s for the end of the race. A third combination is also considered, keeping the middle and final stints on the C3 as in the ideal strategy, but using the C5 at the start.
Mario Isola: “Two Stops Highly Likely”
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Head of Motorsport, addressed the topic of possible race strategies. The Italian confirmed that the race will likely involve two stops and is expected to use the hard tire for a significant part of it.
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“It will be interesting to see how teams will manage a race that still promises to be uncertain, especially regarding strategy. Indeed, based on the data collected over these two days, it is highly probable that there will be two pit stops, with the Medium-Hard-Hard combination being the fastest. Moreover, no one has tried the hardest compound so there is an additional unknown, even though the C3 is the best-known compound among the five approved this year,” Mario Isola explained.
Another factor to monitor is the already mentioned graining, but not only that: attention must also be paid to variables external to the tires.
“Managing graining will certainly be a determining factor, given that on this track it is not a phenomenon that significantly decreases as the track rubbers in, as it does on other tracks. Finally, the high possibility of having the Safety Car on the track or even red flags that could shuffle the deck must be taken into account. Therefore, all the ingredients are there for an interesting and spectacular Grand Prix,” Mario Isola stated.
Source: f1ingenerale
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