Two-stop strategy for Hungarian Grand Prix as qualifying experiment shakes up options

A two-stop strategy will be fastest for the Hungarian Grand Prix according to tyre manufacturer Pirelli, while drivers may struggle for options after using all three compounds in the new qualifying format.

Drivers were mandated to use the hard compound in Q1, the medium tyre in Q2, and the soft in Q3, limiting the supply of new tyres heading into Sunday’s grand prix.

Pirelli says the fastest strategy option will see drivers starting on the medium tyre before a mid-race stint on the hard compound, then changing to either the hard or the medium for a final push to the finish.

"In FP3, the long runs showed that, with a track temperature of around 50°C, which is what we can also expect for the race, the C5 does not seem to be the ideal choice for the race,” said Pirelli director of motorsport Mario Isola.

“At the same time, the higher temperatures compared to yesterday and the normal track evolution, always very significant at the Hungaroring, sees the balance swinging more in favour of the two harder compounds, the C3 and C4.”

“Therefore, the most likely strategy is for two stops, starting on the C4 and running two further stints on the C3.”

Isola says that a single-stop strategy is still possible but unlikely in terms of tyre wear.

“A single stop (Hard-Medium) is possible but it’s very much on the limit, both in terms of performance drop-off and tread life. Add these factors to the way the grid order looks and it should be a spectacular race."

The issue drivers will face is tyre availability, with Lando Norris the only driver in the top ten to start with a new set of medium tyres.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who start on the front row, only have one pair each of new hard tyres, a no new medium compounds available.

All will be revealed when the Hungarian Grand Prix is underway 11pm Sunday (AEST).

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