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POSSIBLE RACE STRATEGIES
Although the Yas Marina circuit now has a faster and more flowing layout
that puts more lateral energy through the tyres than before, a one-stopper
is still the fastest way to approach the 58-lap race (the total distance has
been increased by three laps compared to previous seasons, on account of the
shorter lap).
Both medium to hard, as well as soft to hard, are about as quick as each
other over the full race distance. Starting on the soft helps to enable a
quick getaway – which could be an advantage on a circuit where track
position is still important – but starting on the medium gives a bit more
flexibility around the pit stop window.
A two-stopper is slower but might play a role if there is a safety car. In
this case using all three compounds could be an option or (for the drivers
with two medium sets available) an opening and closing stint on medium with
a middle stint on hard. |
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FOCUS ON:
* Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took pole position on the P Zero Red soft
C5, setting the track record for the remodelled Abu Dhabi circuit on his
first Q3 run. Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez will start the race
on the same compound, as both used the soft to set their fastest times in
Q2. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s title rival Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes
teammate Valtteri Bottas will start on the medium C4.
* The two teams fighting for the world title have consequently opted for two
different race strategies, with Red Bull aiming to take advantage of the
speed of the soft at the start. If Verstappen manages to keep the lead, he
will be advantaged by running in free air and not having to follow anyone:
meaning that he can maintain a consistent load through the tyres and reduce
overheating.
* In total, three drivers in the top 10 of the grid will be starting the
race on the medium: both Mercedes plus the AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda.
* Qualifying got underway with 27 degrees centigrade ambient and 29 degrees
on track. Temperatures fell slightly over the course of the hour-long
session as sunset turned into evening.
* All the drivers ran the soft tyres in Q1 and Q3 apart from Ferrari, which
also used the medium for the first runs in Q1.
MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING
“This was an interesting qualifying session where tyre choice played a key
role. We’ve seen a mixture of tactics, with the two title protagonists
starting on different compounds and set to follow different strategies at
the championship decider tomorrow. On paper, a one-stopper using the hard
for the second stint is the fastest way. In theory, the soft should give a
slight advantage off the line but the medium-hard combination should be a
slightly faster option overall. If Max Verstappen manages to keep the lead
off the grid, he can run in free air and reduce overheating by maintaining a
consistent load through the tyres. We’re expecting a tactically intriguing
race, where tyre management will definitely be a factor. Last but not least,
I’d like to congratulate Prema and Oscar Piastri for winning the F2 title in
such spectacular fashion earlier today, and Max Verstappen for being the
poleman of the year, with 10 Pirelli Pole Position awards.” |
