Pirelli has outlined its strategic options for Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, with its theoretically fastest approach not possible for the top 10 qualifiers.
Pirelli has taken the Hypersoft, Ultrasoft and Soft compounds to Marina Bay, with a substantial performance gap between the pink- and purple-banded tyres.
Mercedes only narrowly scraped through Q1 on Ultrasofts while Ferrari abandoned an attempt to make it through Q2 on that compound, meaning all of the top 10 will start on Hypersofts.
A high level of degradation is expected on the Hypersoft tyres, meaning the front-runners may be forced into a two-stopper, or run at a slower-than-usual pace to make a one-stop work.
Pirelli has outlined that the quickest strategy is likely to be an Ultrasoft/Soft approach, pitting on lap 24 of 61, with a Hypersoft/Soft approach, pitting on lap 13, almost as fast.
It reckons a two-stop strategy (Hypersoft/Ultrasoft/Ultrasoft) is the optimum two-stop strategy, running 11 laps on the pink-walled tyre before two 25-lap stints.
“Qualifying has set up an intriguing mix of tactical possibilities, influenced by the decision to bring the Hypersoft to Singapore,” said Pirelli chief Mario Isola.
“Its unprecedented speed is clearly beyond question, but this has to be balanced against the degradation we have seen so far when it comes to formulating the strategy.
“For this reason, we have seen a few different ideas during qualifying, and it’s going to be fascinating to see which strategy turns out to be the best option.
“Adding another variable is the fact that the Singapore Grand Prix is a very long and eventful race that has historically always featured at least one Safety Car period.
“So the strategies will have to be flexible enough to rapidly capitalise on changing circumstances as they happen.
“All three compounds could definitely play a potential role in the strategy, with nearly zero degradation on the soft.”
