Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has outlined that a two-stop strategy is likely to be favoured by teams at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Pirelli has brought the C2, C3 and C4 compounds to the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Formula 1 drivers suffered from high levels of tyre degradation during Friday practice on the low-grip surface, accentuated by the altitude robbing teams of usual downforce levels.
As a result the top six drivers on the grid will start on Medium tyres, with only the McLaren and Toro Rosso drivers mandated to use the Softs for the opening stint.
Those starting outside of the top 10 have free choice of starting tyre for the 71-lap race.
Pirelli has outlined that a Medium/Medium/Hard strategy, running 20-23 lap stints on the yellow-banded compound, is likely to be the quickest approach.
It believes a slower two-stop strategy will be Soft/Medium/Hard, expecting that teams will be able to run for a maximum 13 laps on the red-ringed compound.
It has also outlined that in theory a three-stop strategy could also be feasible, depending on the manner in which the race unfolds.
Charles Leclerc will start from pole position in the wake of Max Verstappen’s penalty.
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