2014 Japanese Grand Prix F1: Strategy Summary

The rain obviously disrupted all the strategies potentially devised by the teams, forcing them to use only wet condition tires during a race shortened following Jules Bianchi’s accident.

This week, strategic analysis is reduced to almost nothing. It is based on the press release fully transcribed from Pirelli.

Press release from Pirelli

Lewis Hamilton won a shortened Japanese Grand Prix to extend his lead in the championship, using wet and intermediate tires. The rainy conditions, resulting from Typhoon Phanfone, led to the complete non-use of medium and hard tires. The race was stopped following an accident involving Jules Bianchi’s Marussia at the end of the 46th lap.

The race started under a safety car regime for the first time since the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, Pirelli’s first year in F1. It was stopped again, still under a safety car, on the 3rd lap and a second start took place 20 minutes later once again under a safety car, forcing drivers to use wet tires.

The track remained damp after the safety car came in on the 10th lap, requiring the use of intermediates for the majority of the race. When the rain fell heavier towards the end of the race, some drivers used the final safety car period to switch back to wet tires.

Paul Hembery, Head of Motorsport at Pirelli: The Japanese Grand Prix was held in extremely challenging conditions, but obviously our main concern, like the entire paddock, is the accident that ended the race involving Jules Bianchi and Marussia.