The squad at Pirelli are uncertain regarding the prime approach for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, subsequent to a soaked Formula 1 qualifying round that yielded minimal helpful statistics.
Competitors experienced challenging, low-traction circumstances throughout the frosty Vegas evening, utilizing a mix of intermediate or full-wet tires. Many expressed that these were the toughest conditions encountered since entering F1.
The concern arises from the weather prediction of a dry race. This renders the qualifying data, attained under peculiar circumstances, less valuable, and limits the usability of information gathered in practice sessions.
This is partly because FP1 and FP3 occurred three and a half hours before the scheduled grand prix, while FP2 was disrupted by a couple of red flags, which prevented extensive long-run simulations.
Consequently, F1’s authorized tyre provider, Pirelli, recommends that teams remain adaptable in their strategic planning, acknowledging that the extent of graining on the C3, C4, and C5 compounds will greatly influence choices.
“The possibilities of a single pit stop and two pit stops are very similar, so my insight is limited about which they are pursuing,” shared Mario Isola, head of motorsport at Pirelli.
Red Flag, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
“For sure, the restricted data available suggests they will have to be adaptable. This is because we understand the track is still developing. We also know that this developing state brought graining yesterday.
“If they are compelled to apply force early in the race, potentially initiating graining, it becomes challenging to rectify.
“In that instance, a two-stop strategy could prove advantageous. If you begin to slide back, undergoing degradation due to graining that you can’t manage,
“You’ll experience significant degradation, especially with understeer from front-end graining. A two-stop strategy, equipping new tires, might then let you capitalize on their freshness to overtake.”
The optimal grid position for traction remains unclear, yet Isola stresses the importance of managing graining in the initial laps, potentially enabling a one-stop approach.
“Our data indicates the quickest approach involves starting on the medium tire, shifting to the hard, executing a single stop between laps 20 and 26,” he elaborated.
Mario Isola, Racing Manager, Pirelli Motorsport, in the team principals Press Conference
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“We noticed a trend where teams elected to keep two hard sets for the race, a strong indicator, given the graining we saw on both the medium and soft tires yesterday.
“We mainly observed graining with the medium tire, likely from its usage in high-fuel runs, providing a more accurate picture. However, both medium and soft tires showed graining tendencies, necessitating careful management.”
Isola believes that overtaking challenges on the Vegas circuit might nudge teams toward a one-stop approach, but another stop does not necessarily put them at a disadvantage.
“Should they initiate with the medium tire, they might target the first stop between laps 12 and 18, transitioning to the hard and then leveraging another set of hards to complete the race,” stated Isola.
“This secondary approach, using a medium-hard-hard combination, closely mirrors the total race time of the single-stop strategy. The single-stop is favored due to track position, avoiding risks from additional stops, but the medium-hard-hard option poses no disadvantage.
“The same applies to a medium-hard-medium strategy, although few drivers have two medium sets available.
“For those looking at the soft tire, a soft-medium-soft setup or other two-stop combinations are viable, but the soft tends to necessitate a two-stop strategy. That concludes our analysis.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
