Belgian GP: Pirelli Qualifying Review


By Courtesy of Pirelli
September 1 2019

 
 Pirelli Belgian GP Qualifying Review
 
Pole Winner
 

Ferrari topped all the sessions in free practice and qualifying to lock out the front row of the grid in Belgium, with Charles Leclerc heading Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton was third for Mercedes, despite missing FP3 following an accident. The P Zero Red soft tyres were used from start to finish of qualifying, meaning that all the top 10 will start on this compound tomorrow. Leclerc received the Pirelli Pole Position Award from American actor, comedian and producer Keegan-Michael Key.

POSSIBLE RACE STRATEGIES
The optimal strategy for the 44-lap Belgian Grand Prix is a one-stopper, assuming it remains dry. Ideally, the quickest way is to start on the soft tyre for 18 to 22 laps, then switch to the medium until the end.
Very close behind in terms of overall race time is a two-stopper: starting on the soft for 15 laps, switching to the soft again for another 15-lap stint, and then doing the final 14 laps on the medium.
Finally, there’s a slightly slower alternative strategy (in case of an early safety car): start on the soft for 12 to 14 laps, then finish on hard.
 
Pirelli GP
 
KEEP AN EYE ON
* Changeable weather. Temperatures reached 31 degrees ambient and 40 degrees on track during qualifying, but tomorrow’s conditions are expected to be cooler, with a possibility of rain as well.
* Pit stops. There’s quite a wide pit stop window and overtaking is very possible at Spa. So the timing of the pit stops could be absolutely crucial, with a number of strategic ploys to try and gain track position.
* Reliability. The Q1 session was interrupted by two red flags, with technical problems leaving cars stranded on track. With Spa being a famously punishing circuit, it’s sure to take its toll on cars as well as tyres.
* Grid penalties. There’s a large number of grid penalties in place for this race that will inevitably affect the competitive order and strategy, including a penalty for new Red Bull driver Alex Albon.

MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING
“With a one-stop soft-medium strategy being the likely way to go here, it was no real surprise that we saw only the red tyre during qualifying. Whether or not anyone deviates from the predicted strategy will depend largely on the race and weather circumstances: if the weather changes or if there’s an early safety car, this could drive people towards the harder compounds or an extra stop. However, all the forecasts suggest that it will instead be cooler than the unusually warm temperatures we had today. It was certainly a dramatic qualifying session with all the stoppages in Q1. Tomorrow will be all about looking after the rear tyres in particular to control the degradation on what is always one of the most abrasive and challenging circuits of the year. Congratulations to Ferrari for their excellent one-two result in qualifying: we should be in for an exciting race tomorrow.”
  
FREE PRACTICE 3 – TOP 3 TIMES
DRIVER		TIME		COMPOUND
Leclerc		1m44.206s	SOFT C3 NEW
Vettel		1m44.657s	SOFT C3 NEW
Bottas		1m44.703s	SOFT C3 NEW

QUALIFYING TOP 10
DRIVER		TIME		COMPOUND
Leclerc		1m42.519s	SOFT C3 NEW
Vettel		1m43.267s	SOFT C3 NEW
Hamilton	1m43.282s	SOFT C3 NEW
Bottas		1m43.415s	SOFT C3 NEW
Verstappen	1m43.690s	SOFT C3 NEW
Ricciardo	1m44.257s	SOFT C3 USED
Hulkenberg	1m44.542s	SOFT C3 NEW
Raikkonen	1m44.557s	SOFT C3 NEW
Perez		1m44.706s	SOFT C3 NEW
Magnussen	1m45.086s	SOFT C3 NEW

MOST LAPS BY COMPOUND SO FAR
COMPOUND	DRIVER					LAPS
HARD C1		Russell					5
MEDIUM C2	Hulkenberg				18
SOFT C3		Gasly – Hamilton - Norris - Vettel	19

BEST TIME BY COMPOUND SO FAR
COMPOUND	DRIVER		TIME
HARD C1		Russell		1m52.128s
MEDIUM C2	Leclerc		1m45.377s
SOFT C3		Leclerc		1m42.519s
 
Pirelli Tyres
 

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