Pirelli: The fastest strategy for the race is theoretically the one-stop strategy

Pirelli F1 – Lewis Hamilton took pole position in the Italian Grand Prix, using the P Zero Yellow softs to clock a time of 1m23.397s, significantly faster than his pole time last year of 1m24.109s. Hamilton dominated both free practice and qualifying, setting the best time in all sessions of this weekend in Monza.

Along with Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) and Nico Hulkenberg (Force India), Hamilton was the only driver in the top 10 to use just three sets of new soft tires in qualifying. Everyone else used four sets. The Englishman takes home his 11th pole of the season.

Qualifying in Monza took place in dry conditions, after the morning rain, with ambient temperatures around 26 degrees centigrade and track temperatures reaching peaks of 41 degrees. Mercedes and Ferrari were the only teams to use only the medium tires in Q1, which proved to be 1,2 seconds slower than the softs in free practice.
From Q2 onwards, all teams have fitted the soft compound, which many will start the race with tomorrow.

Only one stop is foreseen for the majority of drivers, although the possibility that some may opt for two pit stops is not excluded. If we consider that the time lost in the pits is relatively high, a two-stop strategy would only be convenient for those who have the fastest single-seaters, capable of regaining positions on the track by overtaking. However at Monza, with minimal wing loadings, the DRS advantage is small and therefore overtaking is not so easy.

After the morning rain, reconnaissance laps were carried out on the intermediate tires in the first part of free practice. With half an hour to go the riders then switched to slick tyres.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport Director: “As usual, we witnessed a very exciting qualifying session here in Monza. We expect a single stop for most drivers, although we don't rule out a two-stop strategy. Teams will have to maintain a flexible approach in order to optimize all opportunities that may arise. With the damp track this morning, the Cinturato Green intermediates also went into action; However, it is ruled out that they will see each other again over the weekend.
Overtaking is not easy here in Monza, so strategy will be very important."

The Pirelli strategy forecast

The fastest strategy for the race is theoretically a one-stop strategy, although teams will still need to adopt a flexible approach, depending on tire degradation and race circumstances (even if the probability of a safety car is historically low). This is the ideal one-stop strategy: start with soft tyre, medium from lap 21. Another possibility involves starting on the mediums and switching to the softs on the 24th lap. A two-stop strategy is theoretically only 1,63 seconds slower than a one-stop strategy. The best two-stop strategy involves starting on the soft tires, still soft on lap 19 and finally medium from lap 36.