High temperatures are expected in the afternoon in Sao Paulo, when the drivers line up for the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix. With more than fifty degrees of asphalt, Pirelli simulations (and the data that emerged yesterday in the sprint qualifying) strongly recommend starting with medium tires.
The first stint will be important for the teams in order to understand how to manage the second part of the race, which presents some more unknowns. If the ‘yellow’ will be able to guarantee an optimal performance up to lap 27, the strategy will be taken for granted, that is pit-stop (in the window 27-32 lap) for passing to a hard set.
If, on the other hand, high temperatures were to lead to greater degradation, different scenarios would open up. The simulations indicate an alternative strategy on two stops with a first pit stop to switch to hard between laps 17 and 23, and a final stint on average, with the second change between laps 47 and 52 to conclude the 71 laps in the program. .
On the other hand, there are not many unknowns regarding the availability of new sets. Thanks to the sprint qualifying format, the teams have a good supply of racing sets at their disposal: 2 sets of both hard and new mediums for Hamilton, Perez and Verstappen, while the two Ferrari drivers can count on a set of hard sets, and two set of averages (for Leclerc) and three for Sainz.
In the paddock there is still a doubt regarding the poleman Bottas. In yesterday’s sprint qualifying the Finn made good use of the set of soft tires mounted at the start, managing to slip off Verstappen started with the medium.
In Mercedes they could put Valtteri in the best conditions to maintain the lead at the first corner, but the contraindication would be to risk a very short first race stint, given that the degradation (accentuated by temperatures and full petrol) could anticipate the first race a lot. stop, assumed between lap 12 and 15.
#strategies #stops #needed #hot