Formula 1 title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have taken varying approaches regarding their tyre compound selections for next weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
Sole supplier Pirelli has opted to nominate the Hypersoft, Ultrasoft and Soft compound for the event at Sochi Autodrom, which typically features little degradation.
It mirrors the choice made for last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix – with the red-banded Supersoft step missed out.
One set of Hypersofts must be used only in Q3 while either the Ultrasofts or Softs must be used for one stint of the Grand Prix.
Vettel had taken a more aggressive approach with nine sets of Hypersofts, three Ultrasofts and just one set of Soft tyres for the course of the weekend.
Hamilton will have seven batches of Hypersofts, four Ultrasofts and two Softs.
Vettel’s choice is not the most aggressive on the grid; that honour is bestowed on Renault, which has plumped for 10 sets of the new-for-2018 purple-banded compound.
Only outgoing McLaren racer Fernando Alonso will have more than two sets of the Soft tyre available – opting for three batches – with the Hypersofts and Ultrasofts largely preferred.
Russian GP tyre choices:
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