Vettel holds big advantage over Hamilton - Brazil GP Strategy Guide

Ferrari managed to pull off a surprise in qualifying by engineering a start on soft tyres for Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Pirelli reckon that the red cars have put themselves on the fastest strategy as a result, but all is not lost for pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes…

Max Verstappen tried to follow the Scuderia's suit but rain hampered the Red Bull in Q2 and he will start on supersofts, like the Silver Arrows at the front of the grid.

While the Mercs and Verstappen will have something of a grip advantage off the line, Ferrari's power up the hill in sector three at Interlagos has been mighty – both Haas and Sauber will start with both cars in the top 10 – so an ability to go longer in the opening stint could play nicely into Vettel and Raikkonen's hands.

With rain forecast, however, it is not certain and much could depend on what comes from the skies, as Pirelli explained on their official Twitter account…

Strategy for #BrazilianGP: quickest is a one-stopper (provided conditions are warm). Start on soft for 32-36 laps, then medium to the finish. Alternatively, start on supersoft for 25-30 laps, then medium to the finish. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/GwjuxKQoxV — Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 10, 2018

#BrazilianGP strategy: in warm conditions, a two-stopper is nearly as quick as a one-stopper. Best two-stopper: two stints on supersoft of 20-22 laps each, then soft to the finish (2/3) — Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 10, 2018

If #BrazilianGP conditions are cooler, similar to Friday, the quickest strategy is a one stopper: start on supersoft for 27-33 laps, then soft to the finish.
Alternatively, start on supersoft for 25-30 laps, then medium to the finish. (3/3) pic.twitter.com/V6BaAqvLlO — Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 10, 2018