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Bahrain uses the same three
compounds selected for China: the first back to back races of the season.
Sakhir is a circuit that above all tests traction, and it’s also the first
night race of the year, starting and finishing in the evening under the
floodlights. As a result, the pattern of tyre behaviour and track evolution
isn’t exactly the same as it would be during a conventional afternoon race.
Last year, the winning strategy was a three-stopper, with the same three
compounds nominated as this year.
THE CIRCUIT FROM A TYRE POINT OF VIEW
- Pirelli knows Sakhir well, as a favoured year-round test venue for
different series.
- Tactics can be varied: there were nine different strategies in the top 10
last year.
- Surface is granite but not very abrasive: thermal degradation is a bigger
factor.
- Falling track temperatures in each session mean that the surface tends to
get faster.
- Rear-limited, due to traction demands.
- One of three night races scheduled for this year, along with Singapore and
Abu Dhabi. |
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“MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
““The biggest gains at Sakhir are all to be found in traction: it is quite a
stop-start circuit, so getting the power down properly and keeping the rear
tyres in good condition is very important. Last year we found quite a high
degree of wear and degradation, so it will be interesting to see how this
has changed with the introduction of our 2017-specification tyres. The
second free practice session will be particularly important, as it is the
only one held in representative conditions of qualifying and the race.”
WHAT’S NEW?
- For the first five races the teams all have seven sets of the softest
compound available, four sets of the middle compound, and two of the hardest
compound.
- Bahrain is also the first round of this year’s inaugural FIA Formula 2
Championship, which is the new name for the GP2 Series: supplied by Pirelli. |
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