The Bahrain Grand Prix is known for its sweltering heat. When teams tested here a few weeks ago, the conditions were much cooler. The Sakhir circuit has tough Tarmac that wears down tires quickly, making race strategies very important. Fortunately, the cooler nighttime temperatures may help a bit.
Pirelli has provided mixed tire compounds for this race, which gives teams different strategies to explore. Most teams are leaning towards a two-stop pit strategy, but a one-stop strategy is still a possibility. Pirelli’s Simone Berra said, “It depends on the drivers and their setups.” He explained that while they have lowered the rear axle pressure to help reduce tire wear, managing tire degradation during long stints will still be tricky.
With all three tire compounds available, drivers can choose how they want to approach the race. Berra mentioned, “We have 11 drivers who kept two new medium tires and one hard tire. Starting on the medium, switching to hard, and then back to medium could be a good move.” This strategy is all about timing and making the right calls during the race.
The variety in available strategies offers captivating possibilities for fans. Race strategies can lead to exciting overtaking opportunities, especially since the Bahrain circuit has three DRS zones, which allow for easier passing. Unlike the recent race in Suzuka, where the one-stop strategy resulted in a rather dull race, Bahrain promises to keep things thrilling. Berra pointed out that the undercut—a tactic where a driver pits before an opponent to gain a position when they exit the pits—could be powerful here.
Drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen will be looking to make up for less-than-ideal qualifying positions. Norris expressed hope that McLaren could leverage tire management to their advantage. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella agreed, indicating they chose a specific tire allocation to maximize their performance. Both Norris and polesitter Oscar Piastri have two sets of new mediums and a hard tire at their disposal.
For Verstappen, the outlook seems less rosy after a tough qualifying session. Yet, he still has a plan. His team advisor, Helmut Marko, indicated that Verstappen might use hard tires strategically to try and progress through the field. “It will be hard to get on the podium, but we believe he can move up,” Marko said.
George Russell from Mercedes also showed promise during practice, though he faces challenges after being demoted from his qualifying position due to a Mercedes rule infraction. Russell is optimistic about the race, suggesting that it will be less about qualifying speed and more about performance during the race. He noted, “McLaren is ahead, and they might overtake us on the track.” This openness to surprises keeps fans excited about the upcoming race.
Overall, the Bahrain Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race. With tire strategies at play and the potential for unexpected overtakes, both drivers and fans have a lot to look forward to.
Check out this related article: Max Verstappen’s Doubts: Can Red Bull Bridge the 0.5s Gap to McLaren?
Source linkRed Bull Racing,McLaren,Max Verstappen,Lando Norris,Formula 1,Bahrain GP,Bahrain International Circuit
