![]() It’s also possible to attempt the latter two stints all on medium tyres, but that requires an even more challenging first stint on softs before nursing both sets of mediums for more than 20 laps – which is why the hard compound is likely to be preferred in the middle part of the race. READ MORE: ‘We’re where we deserve to be’ – McLaren drivers Ricciardo and Norris ‘very happy’ with P6 and P7 in Bahrain qualifying In this case, the difficult part is keeping a competitive pace as the softs start to deteriorate on high fuel in the warmest temperatures, and then managing the hards early on to not be left struggling late in the race. In order to try and get into a similar situation to those starting on mediums, the likely preferred option will be to run as close to 15 laps as possible on the softs, then switch to hards for a long middle stint of around 25 laps and then finish the race on the mediums. But for six drivers – Charles Leclerc in fourth, plus Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll from sixth to 10th – that is the rubber they will have to start on. READ MORE: Perez says RB16B has pace to come through field after Q2 exit on Red Bull qualifying debut How about the rest of the top 10?Īs you may have been able to work out from the first strategic option, the soft compound is not the preferred race tyre in Bahrain. Some drivers might shorten that middle stint to go for a longer final one as the fuel burns off and track temperatures drop, because they will also be likely to try and undercut another car by pitting earlier and having fresh rubber to use. ![]() Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly were the only drivers to manage it, while Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it through to Q3 as a result of trying the same.įor the four drivers starting on mediums, the ideal strategy will see them run for around 18 laps on that tyre, before switching to hards for a middle stint of more than 20 laps, and then returning to the mediums for the final 18-lap run to the flag. That’s why we saw the majority of the frontrunners trying to qualify on the medium tyre during Q2, in order to start on the harder compound and have a longer opening stint. ![]() READ MORE: Verstappen says 'great winter' from Honda key to dominant Bahrain GP pole Aiming for one-stop is particularly tough due to the high levels of degradation over 57 laps, and if the rear tyres overheat you’re going to be really struggling on the three straights – out of Turn 3, Turn 9 and the final corner – that feature DRS zones. The heat and abrasive nature of the track surface in Bahrain often makes this race a tough one for the teams strategically, with a two-stop strategy the preferred option. What are the likely strategies for the frontrunners? As a new Formula 1 season gets underway in Bahrain, here’s a look at the strategic options that are available to the grid in today’s race at Sakhir. ![]()
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