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The softest compounds in the
range will be used over the next race weekends, both featuring the Sprint
format, in Miami and Montreal. At both circuits C3, C4 and C5 will be
nominated as Hard, Medium and Soft respectively.
The first American
race of the season (1-3 May) comes after a one-month break in the
championship, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian
Grands Prix. The characteristics of the circuit built around the Dolphins’
stadium, featuring very smooth asphalt, allow the use of the softest end of
the F1 range. Degradation is predominantly thermal, due to the high
temperatures in Florida, but last year, when the compounds were nominally
the same, it proved to be limited. This created the conditions for numerous
on-track battles in the opening phase of the race, when drivers were able to
push without particular limitations.
In Canada (22-24 May) the
softest selection will also be used, thanks to a track surface that is not
very abrasive and to provide adequate grip in areas where the cars are
subjected to heavy deceleration. Last year, when the range extended up to
C6, the trio including that option was used, although what was then the Soft
compound remained on the fringes of race strategies, which were already
geared towards two stops using only Hard and Medium. Compared to Miami,
Montreal also brings the weather variable into play, particularly given the
earlier slot in the calendar. |
