Formula 1 official tyre supplier Pirelli expects a one-stop race in Azerbaijan despite the fact that the Italian manufacturer brought its softest tyree for the Baku weekend. The top 10 runners will all start on the soft compound tyre meaning tyre management will play a key role in determining the outcome of the race.
Pirelli has also highlighted the importance of the Safety Car as with four red flags over the course of the three qualifying stages, it would be prudent for both drivers and teams to factor in this particular variable while formulating their race strategy.
The higher track temperatures will also play a role with Pirelli saying the drivers starting outside the top 10 could try using the medium or hard compound tyres. The Italian manufacturer has not provided a specific pit window stating that there is a wide window of opportunity when determining one’s plan of action, though they expect drivers to make their first stop between lap 11 and 15. A list of their permutations can be viewed below.
“The drivers generally used the soft tyre throughout the session, as with the margins so close on this long lap, it was the safest option to be sure of getting through Q2: especially with the big risk of interruptions,” Pirelli’s head of F1 Mario Isola said in a press statement.
“This means that all the top 10 will start on the soft tomorrow, which probably locks them into a soft-hard one-stop strategy: also because we’re expecting high track temperatures again for the Grand Prix. Those behind the top 10 might see an advantage in starting on a harder compound to run a longer first stint and gain track position or have more pit stop flexibility.
“This is a track where absolutely anything can happen. Four different teams in the top four on the grid underlines the close competition on this spectacular city circuit: at one point we had cars separated by just thousandths of a second after a six-kilometre lap.”
Battle at the front
Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc’s performance in qualifying left many in the paddock surprised as this was a circuit that was supposed to make the SF21’s deficits clear for all to see. While the Ferrari driver was given a slight helping hand with Hamilton essentially providing him with a tow as he prepared to start his qualifying run, the Monegasque driver was on hand to capitalize.
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