Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has outlined the potential strategies for the Hungarian Grand Prix, with hot and dry conditions expected for the race.
Pirelli has brought the Ultrasoft, Soft and Medium compounds to the Hungaroring, opting to skip the Supersoft step, the third time this season such an approach has been taken.
Wet weather affected Saturday’s qualifying session, meaning all drivers will have free choice of starting tyre, rather than just those who qualified outside of the top 10.
Hot and sunny conditions are expected to prevail at the Hungaroring on Sunday, and therefore track temperatures are likely to be very high, placing additional stress on the tyres.
The mercury registered 63°c on Saturday lunchtime before colder and wetter conditions rolled in.
Pirelli has outlined that a one-stop Ultrasoft/Medium strategy is likely to be the most viable approach, with a pit stop coming on lap 22 of 70.
It believes a Soft-Medium strategy, pitting on lap 27, is “nearly as quick”, while an Ultrasoft/Soft approach is also feasible.
Should drivers need to make two stops, if Ultrasoft degradation is higher, then an Ultrasoft/Ultrasoft/Soft is thought the best strategy.
All the leading drivers have a fresh set of Ultrasofts on account of the wet qualifying session, while Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen have two sets, and Daniel Ricciardo three.
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