The appointment with the possible strategies will be slightly different from usual today. Whether it’s because the usual notes are missing from the Pirelli statement or because Ferrari, once again, has managed to complicate things for themselves, it has been decided to slightly change the format of this “column”.
Let’s start with Ferrari and what happened yesterday. It is now well known that the Scuderia struggles to benefit from rain-affected sessions. And if the weather starts to be indecisive, alternating between moments of respite and sudden increases in intensity, it becomes even more difficult (which means there is no point for the fans of the Prancing Horse in doing the rain dance, things can only get worse). That’s what happened yesterday in Q2 at the 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. After it stopped raining during Q1, the second qualifying session began with dry sections of the track.
Charles Leclerc wanted to put on the Soft tires immediately after completing a reconnaissance lap of the track conditions, just like Alex Albon (who finished first in Q2). However, the team decided to keep him out on the Intermediates. The strong times didn’t come, so Charles returned to the pits to switch to the Soft compound. Unfortunately for the Monegasque driver, it started raining again as soon as he went back out on track. Leclerc had only one clean attempt before the track started to become too wet, but he wasted it with an error at the last corner. This prevented him from pushing in the following lap as well. The driver obviously made a mistake, as others in the same conditions managed to make the cut and advance to Q3, but it must be said that there is a lack of serenity within Ferrari. If a driver does not feel comfortable and has a strategy in mind, the team should support him.
Charles Leclerc’s mistake may have also been due to his frustration at once again not being taken into consideration by the team, and this is not good. His fiery statements at the end of qualifying speak for themselves, and here too, it cannot be said that they behaved in the most appropriate manner. Later, in an interview with ‘Sky’ alongside Frederic Vasseur, the Monegasque driver took a step back, revealing that he said those words in a moment of excessive adrenaline. It is also his fault that he will start from the 10th position (one place higher than in qualifying due to Carlos Sainz’s penalty), and he will analyze everything together with the Maranello team. There are many things to correct. In Ferrari, it’s not just the performance that is lacking but a combination of factors. Among many, one of them is the inability to work as a team.
Having said that, let’s continue by taking a look at what could be the possible strategies to complete the Canadian Grand Prix as quickly as possible today.
Possible strategies – Canadian GP – 70 laps
According to the only words provided by the director of motorsport at Pirelli in an interview with their company’s official website, the fastest tactic to complete the planned 70 laps in Montreal should be a two-stop strategy. Start with the Medium tires and finish with two sets of Hard tires.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
“For the race, dry track conditions are expected. However, it is evident that the rain that has fallen so far will determine a sort of reset of the track conditions. From a strategic point of view, this can make the choice of two stops even more competitive, starting with the Medium and using the Hard in the subsequent stints,” stated Mario Isola. “The one-stop strategy, starting with the Hard and finishing with the Medium, could be the favored option for those starting in the second part of the grid, allowing for greater flexibility to take advantage of all the eventualities that may occur on a track where the safety car has covered many kilometers.”
Certainly, the Soft tire will not be taken into much consideration today. The C5 in Montreal is the best option for qualifying but is not very suitable for the characteristics of a track that puts a lot of strain on the rear tires due to its relatively smooth asphalt.
Yesterday there was heavy rain, but the conditions should not be too different from what was seen during FP2, as there was hardly any running in the first free practice session. The Medium tire performed very well on the Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin cars. The question mark remains over Mercedes, but there is no doubt that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will give the Prancing Horse a tough challenge in their attempt to make a comeback from P10 (Charles Leclerc) and P11 (Carlos Sainz).
The battle for victory
Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso will start side by side from the front row. Unless Max pulls away in a few laps, we expect a great strategic battle between them. Depending on the situation, Fernando Alonso might even try a two-stop strategy to put more pressure on the Dutchman. As for the reigning world champion, we expect him to comfortably finish the race with just one stop. If an untimely Safety Car doesn’t come into play, he could and should make it.
Ferrari needs to find serenity and cohesion
In the midfield, the one-stop strategy suggested by Pirelli could be feasible. It would certainly allow for more strategic flexibility, but are we sure that Ferrari can complete the race with just one pit stop? We have our doubts about that. The two-stop strategy M-M-H, or M-H-H depending on availability (Ferrari forced to use 2 sets of Medium tires), should be the most suitable strategy. Overtaking the rivals ahead won’t be easy (especially the Mercedes), so it will be crucial for Ferrari’s technicians to find the right moment to avoid Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz getting stuck in traffic at the 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.
The pit wall and the drivers need to be calm and united, cohesive. The pace on Friday was very good, both on Medium and Hard tires. Therefore, with a suitable strategy, it is not impossible to score some good points, maybe even a top five finish. It would be a real shame to waste the potential seen so far. The Maranello team is not in the title fight, so they should focus on enjoying themselves. Formula 1 is not only their job but also a sport, a competition. If they are not having fun, they will not perform well. Serene faces have been missing within the Ferrari box for too long now. To make progress and move in the same direction, the team must be united. If everyone looks out for themselves, they won’t go anywhere.
Chapter Perez
Regarding Sergio Perez (12th), a one-stop strategy could work well for him to make the most of any opportunities dictated by the Safety Car. He will need a good dose of luck to reach the podium. The period of difficulties continues.
Leave a Reply