Pirelli expecting differing strategies in Canada

For the second race in succession, Pirelli are bringing the P-Zero super-soft (red) and P-Zero soft (yellow) tyres to the race weekend. This weekend the F1 action takes to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, where spills and thrills usually come in abundance throughout the weekend.

Last year, the Canadian Grand Prix was run in exceedingly wet conditions which at one point stopped the race for nearly two hours. When the racing was resumed, Jenson Button stormed from the back of the pack to take a memorable victory with a last lap pass on Sebastian Vettel. With last years race so wet, the teams and drivers have little knowledge on how the Pirelli P-Zero Super-soft (red) tyres will behave.

With the characteristics of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve making it the hardest circuit all year on brakes, as well as extremely demanding on the rear tyres, the Pirelli tyres look set to once again play a significant role in the outcome of the Canadian Grand Prix. However, rain could well interrupt proceedings once again this weekend, thus forcing the drivers to opt for the Pirelli Cinturato intermediate (green) or full wet (blue) tyres.

“We go from Monaco to Canada: two of the most spectacular races of the year.” Explained Pirelli’s motorsport director, Paul Hembery. “Not only is Montreal a fantastic place to hold a race, but it’s also a great circuit. The soft and supersoft tyres should be able to demonstrate more of their natural characteristics than they were able to in Monaco. The practice sessions will be vital for the teams to understand how exactly it works on full tanks in particular. We think we will see several different strategies at work, with teams likely to split their strategies in order to cover every possibility.”

The safety car is renowned for making regular appearances at the Canadian Grand Prix, with the majority of the track running in close proximity to the walls. Due to this factor, teams generally base their strategies around the safety car. However with no-one certain when or even if the safety car will be called upon, the teams tend to add flexibility to their strategies.

With the safety car having led 71 laps around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in the last 10 years, the probability of the safety car making its 72nd lap around Montreal this weekend is extremely likely. Add the possibility of inclement weather, and this years Canadian Grad Prix is shaping up to be yet another classic race.

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