We at all times say that Dash Race weekends can present a great indication of the methods we would see within the Sunday race. This time, nevertheless, fortuitously, that’s not fully true. The climate circumstances on Saturday, with rain arriving simply minutes earlier than the beginning of the Dash, didn’t enable groups and drivers to check their tempo on slick tyres, which can go away everybody heading to the beginning grid in a state of deep uncertainty. Particularly since rain is predicted once more tomorrow. Showers are forecast proper within the afternoon.
Pirelli’s recommendation – Miami Worldwide Autodrome – 57 laps
Earlier than entering into the small print, let’s hear from Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, who shared his ideas after Saturday and the recommendation he gave to the groups: “The Dash was stuffed with twists, primarily as a result of climate. The Intermediate tyres suffered from excessive put on as soon as the racing line dried out, notably on the entrance proper. The change to slicks proved instantly very aggressive, a lot so that everybody moved to dry tyres, even those that had constructed a big benefit.”
“This issue might play a serious position within the race if rain returns: in that case, drivers might want to handle the Intermediates very fastidiously. If it stays dry, the restricted information gathered solely confirms the pre-race predictions when it comes to technique. Regardless of introducing a tyre compound one step softer than in 2024, a single cease technique is, on paper, the quickest, with Medium and Onerous tyres taking centre stage. 9 out of ten groups (the one exception being Racing Bulls) stored two units of C3s, not a lot to make use of each within the race, however to have one as a backup in case of security automobiles or crimson flags—eventualities which can be something however unlikely on a observe like this,” Isola concluded.
For drivers and engineers, it will likely be like happening a blind date
Drivers and groups have collected little or no information on any sort of compound. If it rains, groups can depend on about 10 laps of expertise on Intermediates, whereas if it stays dry, solely Mercedes, having accomplished a full mini race simulation throughout the sole free observe session, has information on the C4 tyre to base its technique on.
Nonetheless, it’s not too dangerous. From what was seen throughout the Dash, the truth that, when it was time to modify from Intermediates to slicks, groups selected to suit the C4 Mediums for the handful of laps left (round eight), provides a transparent indication of the very low confidence within the Comfortable compound’s efficiency. Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton confirmed promising tempo within the few laps he was in a position to run freely, which, no less than in line with the writer, makes the C5 an fascinating tyre for the race in case, as within the Dash, there’s a necessity to modify from Intermediates to slicks.
If as a substitute it doesn’t rain and the observe stays absolutely dry, somebody would possibly attempt to full the GP with a Medium/Onerous one-stop technique, as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli accomplished a long term of 18 laps on the C4 throughout observe. If degradation is extra important, groups would possibly change to M-H-H (most groups have two units of Hards), or M-H-M, and even M-H-S.
The C5, contemplating what Hamilton was in a position to do, looks as if fairly an fascinating choice. A Security Automobile late within the race would definitely favour its use. In variable circumstances, and with probably excessive degradation, the undercut might change into a really highly effective software. Overtaking is feasible, particularly if the circumstances change. For that purpose, methods involving two stops appear to be the best choice in the mean time. The one-stop choice additionally stays very aggressive, so there are a number of viable paths forward, all technically intriguing. In fact, the selections engineers should make on the pit wall will closely rely upon the precise climate circumstances on observe.
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