Pirelli has outlined that a one-stop strategy is comfortably the quickest approach for Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix, and anticipates a wide pit window.
Pirelli has brought the Ultrasoft, Supersoft and Soft tyres for the event at the Red Bull Ring, with either of the last two compounds mandatory for the 71-lap race.
Front-row starters Mercedes, along with Red Bull, will start on the Supersofts, while the remainder of the top 10 will take the start on Ultrasofts.
The remaining drivers have free compound choice for the first stint of the race.
Pirelli has outlined that there is little variation between an Ultrasoft/Soft strategy and a Supersoft/Soft approach.
It estimates that Ultrasoft-shod drivers could pit any time between lap 8 and 28, with Supersoft runners likely to be able to run for between 18 and 30 laps, prior to taking on Softs.
Pirelli added that an Ultrasoft/Supersoft strategy is “slightly slower” and emphasised that a two-stop strategy is purely slower.
The width of the window for the Ultrasoft tyre will depend on graining.
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![Isack Hadjar [pictured] has deferred to Max Verstappen for Day 2 of the F1 pre-season test. Image: Red Bull Content Pool](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Isack-Hadjar-Red-Bull-test-2026-120x86.webp)
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