Pirelli predicts single stop strategy Canadian Grand Prix
Pirelli predicts a one-stopper strategy in the Canadian GP if track temperatures remain in the low range as they have been so far over the weekend. Formula One's tyre supplier believes however that options will open up if track conditions would change.
Pirelli brought its three softest compounds to the Montreal track, including the new ultra soft that debuted at the Monaco Grand Prix. It was expected to spice strategies up also at Montreal, but the low track temperatures are playing against that prospect. Running so far has showed that even the ultra soft tyres show very little degradation and are difficult to warm up for one lap.
The two other compounds are the supersoft and the soft.
Interestingly, Renault and Haas did not even order supersoft tyres and some used up all their sets over the practice sessions. Many teams completed long rungs on the soft compound which showed everlasting durability.
Pirelli, therefore, thinks a one stopper strategy is going to be the fastest choice in the 70-lap race today.
“Track temperature is clearly a key aspect to tyre behaviour here, but we won’t know exactly how that develops until just before the race: cool temperatures seem to be indicated, and there might even be some rain. With low wear and degradation, a one-stopper seems the most likely scenario,” said Pirelli’s motorsport chief Paul Hembery.
The ideal strategy is to start on the supersoft and then moving to soft on lap 26. The first ten drivers that have to start the race on the ultrasoft set on which they set their fastest time in Q2 could also strive for the same strategy as there seems to be only a tiny difference between the ultrasoft and the supersoft compound in terms of degradation.
Hembery thinks teams can also change their mind and alter to a more aggressive strategy with more ultrasoft-stints.
“However, teams will have to keep an open mind on strategy and react to changing conditions as they happen: a traditional hallmark of this fantastic track.”
“We’ve seen in the past that pole position is not necessarily the key to success here, so everything is still wide open,” concluded Hembery.
