Unlike previous qualifying sessions in 2021, nobody drove a fast lap on the medium tyres in Q2.
Max Verstappen states that he 'could easily have qualified on them', but chose not to.
Top ten on the same strategy
"I could have easily qualified on it," explains Verstappen who is quoted by
Motorsport-Total.com. However, he saw no reason to want to start on the medium tyres on Sunday. According to the
Red Bull Racing driver, it is not an advantage on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton confirms what his rival says. Medium tyres are slower at the start and it's a long way towards the first corner. As a result, it was not seen as a real option.
Opportunities for Aston Martin and Gasly
This means that at least the entire top ten will start on the softest compound tyre brought by Pirelli. For
Lance Stroll,
Pierre Gasly and
Sebastian Vettel it might be interesting to start on the medium or hard tyre. They will start just outside the top ten on P11, P12 and P13 respectively.