Just as ultimately yr’s Canadian Grand Prix, drivers could possibly be divided concerning their selection for race technique as Formula One’s tyre provider Pirelli take into account each the one- and two-stop methods as viable choices. F1Technical’s Balázs Szabó analyses the potential race methods for at present’s Montreal F1 spherical.
For the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada, the Milan-based tyre producer selected the three softest compounds: C3 as P Zero White onerous, C4 as P Zero Yellow medium, and C5 as P Zero Red delicate.
The tyre choice was aided by the nature of the Gilles Villeneuve circuit that could be a 4.361-kilometre semi-permanent observe constructed on the synthetic Notre Dame island in the center of the St. Lawrence River, near Montreal.
The race runs for 70 laps, consisting of six left turns and eight proper turns with three straights. Average pace is comparatively low, due to the frequent modifications of path attributable to the shut succession of corners, with steady braking. Traction is vital, and that’s the reason Pirelli opted to carry the three softest compounds to Montreal.
As for final yr’s tyre technique, most drivers most well-liked a two-stop technique however some opted for a one-stopper with a really lengthy preliminary stint on onerous; particularly these beginning near the again.
Due to the native camera-related points at the opening session and the rain-soaked remaining apply, there may be solely a closely restricted quantity of knowledge out there for Pirelli and groups to work out the finest technique for at present’s 52nd Canadian Grand Prix.
However, each the delicate and the medium compound displayed encouraging sturdiness in the heavy gas runs in Free Practice 2. The C3 compound that’s the hardest out there at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a little bit of an unknown as solely Ferrari despatched their drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc out for just a few exploratory laps in the dying levels of the second Friday apply.
The projected quickest #CanadianGP technique includes two units of hards – however some drivers solely have one set left for the race 🧐 #Fit4F1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/KAtsoCrXBo
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 18, 2023
Despite the undeniable fact that the tyres seemed to be sturdy throughout the lengthy runs, the nature of the pitlane of the Montreal circuit often entices strategists to flirt with a two-stop technique with drivers solely shedding 18.5s with a pit cease. The pit lane has a size of 400 metres, however divers coming into the pits lower by way of the final chicane and skip the first nook, with the pit exit already in Turn 2.
Pirelli is subsequently not sure which technique may emerge as the quickest one at at present’s Canadian Grand Prix. The Italian tyre provider estimates that each the two-stop and the one-stop technique are viable choices for at present with nearly no distinction anticipated to determine between the two.
With the climate anticipated to remain cloudy, however dry, slick tyres might reappear at present after drivers had been restricted to moist and intermediate tyres throughout the entirety of the Saturday motion.
On paper, the quickest two-stop technique would immediate drivers to start out the race on the medium compound earlier than swapping to the onerous tyre and ending the race on the identical compound.
The quickest one-stopper would see drivers use the white-banded hards for a really lengthy opening stint earlier than switching to the yellow-walled mediums for a 20-lap second stint.
However, various two- and one-stop methods are additionally trying to be viable. The various one-stopper can be an alternate technique of medium-hard whereas a unique two-stop technique can be a soft-hard-soft mixture.
Interestingly, some groups – together with Ferrari and Mercedes – opted to solely save a single set of recent hards for Sunday which can play an enormous function in deciding the technique for at present’s 70-lap Montreal race.
