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POSSIBLE RACE STRATEGIES:
The most likely strategy for the 60-lap Eifel Grand Prix is a two-stopper,
but with the track not having been used for Formula 1 since 2013 and with no
running yesterday, strategy is something of a question mark for all the
teams. Adding to the tactical complexity is the fact that tomorrow could be
wet – and it will certainly be cold – making it even harder to accurately
predict tyre behaviour.
The theoretically quickest way will be to start on the P Zero Red soft, then
on lap 19 switch to the P Zero Yellow medium for 22 laps, and finally do a
19-lap stint on the soft again. As usual, this combination of compounds can
be used in any order.
Second-fastest is another two-stopper: one 18-lap stint on the soft plus two
21-lap stints on the medium.
Slower is a one-stopper, going from medium to P Zero White hard after 29
laps (or the exact opposite, running 31 laps on the hard before going to
medium). The data suggests that a one-stop strategy using medium and soft is
not possible.
FOCUS ON:
* Weather. Track temperatures were the coldest seen all year during a race
weekend, with 10 degrees ambient and 17 degrees of track temperature at the
end of qualifying. Even cooler conditions are likely tomorrow, and there is
a high risk of rain as well. Getting the tyres up to temperature
(particularly the fronts) and keeping them there will be crucial: especially
if there is a safety car.
* Track evolution. This was influenced by the track not having been used
yesterday and no rubber laid down, with conditions still ‘green’ and
slippery.
* Experience. Formula 1 hasn't raced at the Nürburgring since 2013 and there
was no running on Friday, so the teams and drivers headed into qualifying
and the race with much less experience and information than they would
normally have.
* Strategy. The lack of information will have a big impact on strategy. The
race strategies are much less clear cut than usual, as it’s really not clear
which strategy is most advantageous in real world conditions.
* Speed. The evolution of the cars and tyres since the last time F1 went to
the Nürburgring meant that the all-time track record, set by Michael
Schumacher back in 2004 (1m28.351s) was already broken by most of the field
in FP3. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING
“Finally we saw some action at the Nürburgring, with the drivers heading
into qualifying with just one hour of preparation. As a result, there are a
number of question marks heading into tomorrow’s grand prix, as Formula 1
hasn't raced here since 2013 and the teams have very little data to go on.
As well as strategy, one of those question marks surrounds the weather,
which is set to be even colder and possibly wet tomorrow. If it stays dry
all the top 10 on the grid will start on the soft tyre, which removes one
variable, but what happens after that very much remains to be seen. In these
extremely cold temperatures, we saw some light graining in the morning as
expected but as more rubber was laid down on the track and the cars adapted
their set-up, the situation improved. Looking after the tyres tomorrow will
still be crucial, in what should be quite an unpredictable grand prix with
uncertain weather.” |
