One-stop strategy expected for Australian Grand Prix
A one-stop strategy will be the preferred option for the Australian Grand Prix, according to tyre manufacturer Pirelli.
Max Verstappen will lead the field away from pole position on Sunday. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
The race is expected to be dry after showers throughout the weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology estimating a 10% chance of rain on Sunday with light showers in the morning.
“Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a light morning shower, mainly over western suburbs. Light winds tending southerly in the afternoon.”
Pirelli says data from practice at Albert Park indicates that starting on the yellow medium tyre and changing to the white hard tyre between laps 17 and 23 will be the fastest strategy.
“A one-stopper remains the optimal strategy, with medium-hard being theoretically fastest and soft-hard slightly slower,” said Mario Isola, director of motorsport at the Italian brand.
Possible race strategies for the Australian Grand Prix - click to expand. (Pirelli)
The alternative option would be to start on the soft compound and switch to the hard, with a two-stop strategy proving slowest out of the three.
The two-stop strategy may come into play with the intervention of the safety car, with history showing a 67% chance the race will be interrupted.
Max Verstappen will lead the field away from pole position when the lights go out at 3pm on Sunday (AEST).
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