F1 News

Pirelli expects variation in strategy, teams seem prepared for a two-stop

10 October 2021 at 09:49
Last update 10 October 2021 at 10:33
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  • GPblog.com

The data of the Turkish Grand Prix of 2020 can largely be disregarded. Compared to a year ago, there is now much more grip at Istanbul Park and the drivers will make more use of the slicks, now that the rain will most likely stay out on Sunday. Pirelli expects the teams to show a lot of variation in strategy, with two types of tyres in the lead.

According to Pirelli, the fastest strategy will be a two-stop strategy, with two stints on the white tyre. The start will have to be on the yellow tyre and on that tyre almost everyone in the top ten will start. Pirelli also proposed a one-stop to the white tyre and an alternative is to drive two stints on the yellow tyre, alternated with a long stint on the white tyre.

Tyre choice shows preference

Over the course of the weekend, the teams will have to hand in a number of tyre sets, so they will not have an unlimited choice before the Grand Prix. Looking at the possible options, it is clear that most teams are considering a two-stop race. The two drivers at Red Bull Racing and Mercedes both have two new sets of the white tyre left, so they won't have to run on used tyres this weekend. A two-stop seems to be the obvious choice, with a one-stop possible as an alternative.