Pirelli has stated that a two-stop strategy is the fastest way to complete the Bahrain Grand Prix. Following the calm one-stop strategies in Melbourne two weeks ago, it was expected that the race in Sahkir would offer at least one extra pit-stop.
But after free practice in Bahrain, some teams estimated that a one-stop race would be the best way to approach the race. Pirelli has suggested that a one-stop would be the second-fastest strategy if a driver starts on the super softs, and changes onto the softs around lap 24.
It also said that a 32 lap stint on the softs before sticking on the medium compound would be possible, but it would be the slowest of the available strategies. Instead, it estimates that a stint on the super soft tyre until lap 14 and two 21 lap stints on the soft compound is the way to go.
Speaking after Saturday's qualifying session, Pirelli's head of motorsport Mario Isola said that an interesting race should unfold due to key drivers being out of position: "After an action-packed qualifying, there will be a few drivers starting out of their usual positions tomorrow, which should make for an entertaining race.
"We’ve already seen some interesting strategies in view of the race tomorrow. Lewis Hamilton beat last year’s supersoft pole time already in Q2 using the soft tyre, with which he will start the race, against the rest of the top 10 on supersoft. We can expect two pit stops for most of the cars tomorrow, but there are a number of different potential combinations that could work, depending on the speed of each car and the individual race circumstances."
Fergal Walsh
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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