F1 | Pirelli GP Preview Russia, Isola: “One-stop race”

Formula 1 arrives in Europe for the Russian Grand Prix, scheduled in Sochi. The circuit surface is smooth and spring weather is expected. For the second time this season, Pirelli has named the three softest compounds available, with the Ultrasoft compound making its debut in Sochi. In the past the race has always been won with a one-stop strategy.

The circuit from a tire point of view 

• Degradation levels are among the lowest of the entire season and tire stress is limited.
• Temperatures that are not too high lead to limited thermal degradation of the tires.
• Turns 2 and 13 require heavy braking, with the risk of locking up.
• The last sector is stop&go type, like Abu Dhabi: it rewards maximum traction and braking qualities.
• The track is not used often during the year, so it will be very “dirty” at the beginning of the weekend.
• The most challenging corner is turn 3: a big left-hand corner with several apexes, similar to Turn 8 in Istanbul.
• The right front tire is the most fatigued.

Mario Isola, Pirelli Car Racing Manager: “This race comes after two days of testing in Bahrain; It will be interesting to check the data collected during the tests and how they translate into performance on the track and tire management. Sochi is a low-severity circuit: we will therefore go towards a race with just one pit stop, which is also favored by the longer life of the new tyres. Here the Ultrasoft compound will be used for the first time: its behavior on this track will have to be evaluated in light of the new single-seaters. The gap between the nominated compounds is relatively low, so all three could be ideal in the race".