The Canadian GP guarantees to be an unpredictable occasion. It’s normally filled with uncertainties as a consequence of altering climate circumstances all through the weekend. This yr, nonetheless, regardless of the forecasts remaining pretty secure thus far and anticipated to remain that manner tomorrow, the very mushy tire nomination on a low-grip and usually soiled monitor will increase the chance of graining.
A phenomenon that affected all the highest groups throughout Friday’s race tempo simulations. Essentially the most affected was Ferrari, which might solely run with Lewis Hamilton as a consequence of Charles Leclerc’s absence following his FP1 crash. Earlier than sharing our ideas, let’s evaluation the recommendation Pirelli gave to the groups after qualifying.
Pirelli’s recommendation – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – 70 laps
The principle challenge is certainly graining and using C4 and C5 compounds in race mode. Mario Isola, Pirelli motorsport director, was very clear and concise: “Extending the 2025 compound vary is creating a wide range of approaches amongst groups and drivers in tire utilization all through the weekend, which can replicate on the race. From a method perspective, we predict a two-stop stays essentially the most believable possibility, favoring Medium and Onerous tires. The one-stop technique is theoretically legitimate however unlikely to repay, contemplating overtaking is feasible right here and the time misplaced within the pit lane for tire adjustments is sort of restricted (round 18 seconds),” in keeping with the assertion from the Pirelli crew.
Graining and quick stops might open the door to a three-stop situation
It’s no secret that the C6 just isn’t essentially the most appropriate tire for the race. The brand new Pirelli compound, on one of these circuit—as seen already at Imola—doesn’t make a distinction. In qualifying it’s generally even ignored and can seemingly be much more so through the race.
The GP opens as much as numerous methods, largely relying on the remaining tire units obtainable to the drivers. We agree with Pirelli that the quickest technique, not less than on paper, will probably be a two-stop plan like Medium-Medium-Onerous or Onerous-Onerous-Medium. It have to be famous that the C5, the yellow compound this yr, remains to be very mushy and, as seen already on Friday (race tempo knowledge), suffers quite a bit from graining.
If drivers can handle stints of about 20 laps on the C5, then the M-M-H technique turns into doable; in any other case, if degradation is excessive and an early pit cease is critical, they are going to swap to M-H-H or, in the event that they don’t have two units of C4, change plans in the direction of a three-stop technique seemingly involving the Smooth tire.
Utilizing the Smooth C6, in our opinion, will probably be extra a matter of necessity (as a consequence of shortages of different compounds) slightly than efficiency. We imagine that these beginning on Smooth have both already dedicated to a three-stop or wish to attempt to achieve a bonus with an early undercut, hoping to choose up positions whereas working on Onerous tires in clear air. These beginning on Smooth will seemingly go S-H-H or three stops.
If compelled to make use of Smooth, we suggest utilizing it within the remaining stint. The extra rubbered-in monitor will assist handle graining higher. Given qualifying efficiency, nonetheless, we don’t imagine the C6 can supply a constant efficiency benefit over the C5. Once more, its use will probably be extra out of necessity.
For these with a scarcity of Medium and Onerous tires—just one set of every obtainable—a two-stop technique together with all three compounds is feasible. Even in that case, the most effective method can be to make use of Smooth within the final section of the race.
If graining is excessive, we might see two situations the place each undercuts and overcuts could possibly be very efficient. Pitting early permits gaining monitor place over drivers on worn tires initially, however these pitting late may achieve a bonus over those that modified tires too early.
Abstract
The 2-stop technique is on paper the most suitable choice, however for the reason that pit cease time is pretty quick (18 seconds), three stops could possibly be a really attention-grabbing different, particularly if graining is extreme. In Canada, potential security automobiles should even be thought of, as a Security Automotive deployment is all the time seemingly. The groups will must be adept at capitalizing on each alternative, particularly utilizing a free pit cease to achieve a bonus.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
