Qatar GP 2024, race technique – After securing pole place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, George Russell as soon as once more begins on the entrance of the grid. In actuality, the quickest time was set by Max Verstappen, however a penalty promoted Mercedes’ W15 automotive quantity 63, confirming the workforce’s sturdy kind seen in the US. Within the second row, the 2 McLaren drivers are positioned, sensing that the Constructors’ Championship is turning into extra inside attain, partly attributable to Ferrari not being at their greatest however nonetheless hoping to get better with race tempo proven through the Dash Race.
The result of the race is unsure, contemplating each the qualifying outcomes and, extra importantly, the Dash Race, which ended with a McLaren one-two end (Piastri forward of Norris, editor’s notice). Nonetheless, they have been unable to ascertain a big hole over the competitors, which stayed shut all through the race. Given this, and the difficult tire administration on a observe that locations quite a lot of stress on the compounds, the race is predicted to be unpredictable in its remaining consequence.
Earlier than diving into the main points of strategic predictions, let’s check out the tire decisions made by Pirelli for the twenty third spherical of the 2024 World Championship. In contrast to Las Vegas, the place the softer compounds have been launched, Pirelli has introduced the toughest tires of their vary: C1 onerous, C2 medium, and C3 smooth. Let’s instantly have a look at the tire units out there to the drivers.
Qatar GP 2024 – Technique: Single Cease Anticipated to Be Helpful
It must be famous that predicting workforce methods this yr has been notably tough. Tires have typically been a puzzle, resulting in ways that diverged from what was anticipated on paper.
For the Losail Grand Prix, you will need to take into account the resurfacing of the curbs, that are decrease than final yr when many tire points arose as a result of sharp edges of the curbs positioned on the outdoors of the corners, resulting in tires getting minimize. This prompted a multi-stop technique final yr.
This yr, the problem has been resolved, and Pirelli’s engineers count on that the very best tactic will probably be a single cease, beginning with the medium tire, which ought to final between 19 and 25 laps, adopted by a change to the onerous tire to complete the race.
Except for the curbs, Pirelli’s chief engineer Simone Berra highlighted that the general grip degree this yr is larger than final yr, stopping lateral sliding and untimely tire put on. The anticipated graining was lower than anticipated. This, mixed with decrease degradation, suggests {that a} single-stop technique would be the most advantageous.
In fact, there’s little information on the onerous tire, a compound not used through the Dash Race and solely seen briefly throughout Friday’s sole apply session. The efficiency of this compound would be the deciding issue: if it performs properly, a single cease will probably be viable; in any other case, various methods equivalent to a two-stop plan with two onerous tire stints after an preliminary medium stint could also be used.
There’s little expectation of using the smooth C3 tire, a compound that might result in extreme put on and speedy efficiency degradation. Whereas a number of drivers have a number of units of this compound (Nico Hulkenberg, Franco Colapinto, and Esteban Ocon every have three out there), it’s unlikely that anybody will use it, particularly since overtaking at Losail is tough, and having to get better positions can be very disadvantageous.
The race will probably be held underneath the climate circumstances noticed within the previous days, with temperatures not too excessive however winds that would trigger points, with gusts anticipated at as much as 40 kilometers per hour. The drivers might want to handle these circumstances, particularly via medium- to high-speed corners.
Moreover, the wind tends to deliver desert sand onto the observe, which doesn’t assist keep perfect asphalt circumstances. This presents one other small problem, an extra variable to think about within the tough equation that’s the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.
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