Lando Norris will start on pole at the first Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1 held at the new Madring circuit, but the teams still need to make an important decision before the race. The main doubt is whether to bet on one stop or adopt a two-stop strategy.
Read more F1: Russell postpones penalty awaiting new Mercedes engine
The McLaren driver edged out Kimi Antonelli by a minimal difference in Q3 and will seek his third win of the season. After winning the last two races where he started on pole, Norris could also be the first winner in history at the new Madrid circuit.
Meanwhile, Pirelli considers the one-stop strategy as the most likely option for success. One possibility involves starting with medium tires and then using the hard ones, while a combination of soft and hard would allow more grip at the start of the race and an opportunity to gain positions, although with greater tire performance loss later on.
Teams can also opt for two stops, probably starting with mediums before doing two stints on the hards. The high temperatures expected for the race may increase wear and force some drivers to follow this path, but the alternative presents a significant risk.
Read more F1: Antonelli believes in a race decided by tire management
A second pit stop can put drivers in the middle of traffic, something especially relevant because the junior categories showed during the weekend that overtaking at Madring can be difficult. Also, the pit lane is among the longest on the calendar, with an estimated loss of approximately 24 seconds per stop.
On the other hand, the protection barriers very close to the track increase the possibility of a safety car intervention. This factor can completely change the impact of an additional stop and certainly enters the teams’ calculations before the start.
Read more F2: Check the championship standings after the Madrid stage
