One-stop strategy possible but risky for Silverstone re-run - Pirelli

Pirelli

One-stop strategy possible but risky for Silverstone re-run - Pirelli

The tyres across the range are a step softer in compound

Ian Parkes

Thursday 6 August 2020 14:29

Pirelli believes only the best drivers in tyre management will risk running a one-stop strategy in this weekend's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Despite the tyre failures during Sunday's British GP, the Italian manufacturer is standing by its decision to run with a step softer in compounds across the range for the second race at Silverstone.

While that will result in a rarely seen two-stop race for the majority, Pirelli boss Mario Isola feels there remains the possibility of someone opting to stop just once.

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"I believe that because we are going with one step softer compounds the length of the stint will be shorter, by definition," said Isola.

"Consider the medium compound [used in the British GP], that will be designated the hard for this weekend, the only one that was running [long] was Grosjean for 36 laps, and the tyres were completely finished.

"So I struggle to believe they can run more than 30-something laps this weekend. It depends, they are very good at managing the tyres.

"Looking at the softness of the compound, probably most of the teams will target a two-stop strategy since the beginning."

Isola confirmed earlier this week that to aid tyre life, there will be an increase in pressures, from 25psi to 27 for the fronts, and 21 to 22 for the rears

An additional change has come from the circuit, as the apex of the kerb at Turn 14 Chapel has been extended by approximately 30 metres back to the exit of Turn 13 Becketts.

Throughout the British GP weekend, and without the kerb in place, drivers were continually short-cutting the turn, taking to the grass but then catching the start of the kerb leading into Chapel.

It is understood that a number of cuts that appeared on many tyres were caused by this action. Isola hopes the track remodelling will help cut down the number of cuts this weekend.

“Probably some of the cuts that we found on Friday were caused by the fact that some debris was trapped in the kerb, causing some cuts in the tyres,” he explained.

“They are working around that and it’s a good action, it’s a good idea to have this small modification to help the situation.”

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