Ahead of the 2020 Russian Grand Prix, Pirelli confirmed that several tyre strategies could be equally as fast for the race in Sochi. Formula 1 grands prix have taken place at Russia’s Sochi Autodrom since 2014 and the event has typically been a one-stop strategy.
The threat of rain remains near zero for race day with temperatures expected to push towards 30c.
The top 10 on the grid will all start on the Soft tyre on account of using it for their quickest Q2 laps with the exception of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who will use Mediums.
Lewis Hamilton was forced to go through on the soft tyre after a chaotic Q2 session saw both runs on the yellow-marked Mediums compromised.
Those who did not make it through to Q3 will have a free choice of starting tyres for the 53-lap Grand Prix.
Pirelli’s data suggests that the fastest route is a one-stop strategy going from the red-marked Soft tyres and run for 12 laps before switching the Hard compound tyres until the end of the race.
The Italian manufacturer also suggests – if tyre wear is less than expected – running the softs until lap 14 and going to the Mediums – which is suggested to be just as fast.
Either strategy could be run in opposite direction.
A slightly slower one-stop strategy could see drivers run the Mediums for 22 laps before moving to the Hards for the remainder of the Grand Prix.
The slowest strategy is a two-stop with two stints of 12 laps on the softs either side of a 29-lap stint on the Mediums.
“As expected the tyres performed well during qualifying, but the session itself was certainly unpredictable!,” said Mario Isola, Head of F1 and Car Racing.
“We expected the frontrunners to use the medium during Q2 and that proved to be the case, with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas starting the race tomorrow on this compound.
“This should give them the advantage of a potentially longer first stint and more flexibility in terms of strategy.
“The red flag at the end of the Q2 session posed an additional challenge for the teams in qualifying, with a big few surprises – especially for Lewis Hamilton, who had probably intended to go through Q2 on the medium tyre – and plenty of finely-calculated tactics.
“The scene is now set for a tense strategic battle tomorrow, which will require a bit of tyre management for those starting on the soft tyre and intending to stop just once in particular.”
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