Canadian Grand Prix: Tire Strategy Under Scrutiny Ahead of Qualifying
As teams and drivers prepare for the qualifying session of the Canadian Grand Prix, Pirelli’s introduction of the aggressive C6 tire compound has created uncertainty about optimal strategy. The C6, intended to deliver enhanced performance over a single lap, has a minimal performance delta compared to the C5. Weather forecasts suggest higher temperatures on Saturday, which raises concerns that the C6 may overheat during a full qualifying lap.
Recent race weekends at Imola and Monaco demonstrated this potential challenge. Fernando Alonso secured fifth on the grid using the medium tire at Imola, prompting teams to reconsider their approach. George Russell noted, “Clearly a number of teams are thinking about this medium tire as well,” hinting at Mercedes’ strategy to conserve a new set for qualifying.
Most teams utilized the soft tires during FP1. However, Pirelli confirmed that nine out of ten teams preserved two sets of hard tires for the race, with only Sauber opting to use a set during FP2, believing this could provide a competitive edge on race day.
Carlos Sainz voiced concerns about potential chaos stemming from the close performance of tire compounds, stating, "There’s probably going to be a bit of a mess again with the tyres." Drivers have also indicated that managing soft tires effectively will be crucial. Pierre Gasly remarked, “I think ultimately on our side, we’re more trying to just get the car in the best place we can.”
Alonso reported issues with graining on the soft compound and the difficulty in achieving optimal temperature quickly. He emphasized the need for further data from the final practice session before making a qualifying decision.
Pirelli’s chief engineer, Simone Berra, acknowledged the prevalence of graining but suggested conditions could improve with further track evolution. He stated that a two-stop strategy is likely for Sunday’s 70-lap race. “Simulations indicate that a two-stop is the quickest strategy,” Berra noted, underscoring the importance of tire management in the upcoming sessions.
As the teams prepare for the final practice before qualifying, the decision on tire selection remains critical, with the potential for strategic shifts based on performance data and track conditions.
