Dario Marraffuschi (photo above), the new competition director at Pirelli, analyzed the strategic lessons from the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint and the implications for the race.
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For the first time this weekend, all three available tire compounds were used.
During the Sprint, three drivers chose to stay on track with Hard (C2) tires and not stop during the safety car period, which allowed them to gain several positions.
Only one driver, Isack Hadjar, used the Softs (C4), while the rest of the field ran on Mediums (C3).
A single pitstop preferred
Drivers who used the C2 tires were thus able to directly evaluate the impact of graining on this compound, which had not yet been tested in these conditions. However, this decision could reduce their strategic options for the race, as they now only have one set of hard tires left for the Grand Prix, particularly in the event of a safety car intervention.
According to Pirelli, the one-stop strategy is clearly the fastest for Sunday’s race. Two main approaches are being considered: starting on Mediums (C3) then switching to Hards (C2) between laps 17 and 23 or starting on Softs (C4) then switching to Hards (C2) between laps 15 and 21.
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Both options show very similar race times, with the choice depending mainly on grid position or the desire to adopt a more aggressive strategy at the start.
Two-stop option
A two-stop strategy could also be considered. The fastest combinations would then involve finishing the race with two successive stints on hard tires, provided the teams still have enough sets of C2s, especially since the graining phenomenon is significant for the front-left tire, which is heavily stressed on this track.
On paper, starting the race on Softs seems slightly more efficient than starting on Mediums in this scenario. A potential intervention by the safety car could force competitors to revise their plans accordingly.
An unknown on Soft tires
Pirelli highlights an important point, however: during the first two days of the weekend, no driver ran more than nine laps on Soft tires, with the exception of Hadjar’s attempt during the Sprint, but his attempt was compromised by damage to his car.
Consequently, the actual level of C4 degradation with a full fuel load and a third of the race still to go remains uncertain, which could influence strategic decisions during the Grand Prix.
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