Dutch Grand Prix – Possible race strategies
Before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix, tension is rising! This Sunday, the drivers and teams will be able to showcase their strategies in several ways.
It is still impossible to know who will leave with which tires! But one thing is certain, this Dutch Grand Prix, which will start at 3 p.m, could see the drivers try to surprise each other.
These strategic differences will be favored by significant gaps between the different tire compounds, on a fairly non-abrasive circuit.
Two stops: the most likely strategy.
Logic would dictate that the majority of the grid starts on the soft tires. Some other drivers might attempt to start on mediums, but two pit stops are to be expected at Zandvoort.
The first pit window would then be between the 18th and 23rd laps, in the case where teams chose to start on softs and have two stints on mediums. The final pit stops would take place after the 40th lap.
On the other hand, some may shift their strategy by making two stops on soft tires, including the one at the start. The first pit stops could then occur between laps 22 and 28, depending on the tire wear.
The attention will of course be focused on the explosive front row Verstappen-Leclerc. The Dutchman managed to only complete one lap in Q1 yesterday, allowing him to save a set of new red Pirelli tires. This is not the case for Charles Leclerc. Therefore, the local hero has the strategic advantage.
One stop: too conservative a bet?
The other possibility would be to see drivers only making a single pit stop, in case they start on soft tires. A single pit stop automatically rules out the idea of doing more than 50 laps on the mediums. The hard tires will be preferred to go the distance of the race, by putting them on between the 20th and 25th laps.
This choice had worked for Alexander Albon in Australia, where he secured 10th place. At Zandvoort, the performance gaps between tires are so significant that this choice would be audacious and risky: all the others, who would opt for mediums, would take a considerable advantage. Those taking risks would then have to hope for unforeseen circumstances.
Safety car, red flag… we need to be vigilant.
The support races (F3, F2, and Porsche) have experienced very eventful practice sessions and races. The Safety Car was often deployed this weekend, and Formula 1 may not be an exception.
In the event of an accident and neutralization, one must not get caught: under normal circumstances, the loss of time in the pit lane is less than 20 seconds, and only 12 seconds under the Safety Car. These situations could lead teams to make three pit stops!
A red flag would also change the game… but before the start, the suspense remains. And everyone hopes for a more contested race than in Spa, up front!
