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KEY MOMENTS
An exciting and action-packed Tuscan Grand Prix was characterised by two red
flags and multiple safety car periods, meaning that teams had to react very
quickly to rapidly changing circumstances, adapting their strategies to
unfolding events and the tyres they had available.
Under the red flag regulations, teams are allowed to change tyres and make
certain repairs to their cars. Mercedes dominated the race, with both Lewis
Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas leading at different points. They followed
exactly the same strategy throughout the race, using all three compounds.
Red Bull’s Alex Albon scored his debut podium, ahead of Renault’s Daniel
Ricciardo – who had gained crucial track position by strategically
undercutting his key rivals earlier in the race. Ricciardo was voted driver
of the day, while Williams driver George Russell claimed his best-ever race
finish in 11th.
Only 12 drivers were classified at the finish of the Pirelli-sponsored
Tuscan Grand Prix, which celebrated 1000 races for Ferrari.
HOW EACH TYRE PERFORMED
HARD C1: Mercedes and Ferrari were the only top teams to use the hardest
compound after the first restart, which was well-suited to the intense
demands of the rapid Mugello circuit.
MEDIUM C2: Daniil Kvyat and Kimi Raikkonen were the only drivers to finish
in the points after selecting this tyre for the original start, ending up
seventh and ninth respectively.
SOFT C3: Used by the top 10 on the grid at the start of the race: also used
by all the drivers for the final stint after the second re-start. Hamilton
additionally claimed the extra point for fastest lap on the final tour using
the soft.
MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING
“The inaugural Mugello Grand Prix is one that people will remember for a
very long time, with three starts in total, the same number of safety cars,
all the tyres used, and exciting action from start to finish. On a track
that was extremely demanding on tyres, run in hot conditions, Mercedes
dominated from start to finish, but the strategies were clearly influenced
by the extraordinary turn of events. The high number of accidents also left
a lot of carbon fibre debris on the track. Managing the re-starts was
crucial, as well as taking care of the tyres throughout a very long
afternoon. All drivers did a fantastic job under immense pressure,
delivering an unpredictably thrilling spectacle in Italy for the second
weekend in a row.” |