As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, tire strategy is emerging as a crucial component to race success, with many teams considering a one-stop planning. The last Sprint showed variations in tactical approach, which could be crucial for the main race.
The Miami GP, known for its high temperatures and low tire degradation, suggests a one-stop race. However, the variety of strategies seen in the Sprint, such as Max Verstappen’s hard to medium tires, and the popular medium to hard combination, shows that teams are exploring all possibilities.
Verstappen, who won last year’s race, opted to start on hard tires, extending his first stint until almost the end of the race, which allowed him to take advantage of the faster tires in the final stages and still secure the point for fastest lap.
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, used a hard to medium strategy, starting in 13th place and finishing 6th after a penalty. His strategy focused on prolonging the use of the hard tire and switching to the medium tire later, taking advantage of a significant performance difference.
The tire scenario for qualifying and the race appears to lean again towards the medium to hard route as the most viable option. The track’s consistently high temperatures favor this approach, with an ideal change window between laps 15 and 21, according to Pirelli analysis.
Saturday’s Sprint offered valuable data, especially with Yuki Tsunoda and Logan Sargeant defying convention by starting on soft tires. Tsunoda, in particular, showed the potential of the soft tire by securing a point after starting 15th.
With the possibility of rain still looming, although decreasing, teams are also paying attention to weather conditions, which could further influence tire choices and strategies. A change in weather conditions could favor the soft tire, which, if promising, could alter planned strategies.
As teams prepare for the race, tire choice and timing of the stop will be decisive, especially for drivers like Fernando Alonso, who will start further back and may opt for an aggressive soft-to-hard strategy, trying to maximize every opportunity on the circuit. Miami challenger.
Tire management and strategic decisions made over the next few hours could very well determine who comes out on top at the Miami GP, making tire choice one of the most critical facets of the race this weekend.
F1MANIA.NET follows the Miami GP ‘in loco’ with journalists Victor D. Berto and Rodrigo França.
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Tags: Pirelli reveals recommended strategy Miami
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