24/03/2011
NEWS STORY
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Mat Coch writes:
Tyre strategy during the 2011 championship is going to be unlike anything we've seen before says Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
With Pirelli introducing tyres that degrade significantly faster than the Bridgestone's used last year, the Spaniard's comments come ahead of a race where as many as three stops are expected.
"A new Formula One is starting here in Melbourne in terms of the strategy point of view," he said. "We need to be very focused, very concentrated on the strategy because I think it can play a big part of the race result."
The new Pirelli rubber has rarely been out of the headlines over the winter as drivers and teams complain about the severe degradation. "In general there are three to five laps of good performance," explained Jarno Trulli. "Then around lap ten and twelve, this is from my experience but depends on track conditions and so many things, you start having really big trouble with tyres."
Such high degradation will force teams to pit frequently, Trulli believing at least three stops will be needed this weekend. As a result the nature of racing will change as tyre management becomes critical not only during the race, but in the build up, to ensure there are enough fresh sets of rubber come Sunday afternoon.
"The driver is the biggest element, so his feedback is going to be crucial," says Christian Horner. "The way he uses the tyres is going to be critical as well, so he is the most important factor but obviously what he can't see are all the different permutations within a race strategy."
"It's going to be a matter of him giving the right feedback and the team making the right strategic calls," the Red Bull boss continues. "Unlike last year and making that call essentially once it's going to have to be two, three or maybe four times during a race this year."
Pirelli claim to have tried to replicate the situation seen in Canada last year, where tyre wear became a critical factor in what proved to be arguably the most entertaining race of the season. Initially the tyres the Italian firm produced were too durable and were capable of running hundreds of laps. That durability was dialled out as testing progressed, though the concern is that Pirelli has gone to the other extreme.
"Basically they are missing a bit of development," says Trulli. "They came back into Formula One after a long, long time, and given the rules we have at the moment somehow they've struggled to develop the right tyres because obviously they didn't have the chance to do much running with every team."
Over the winter teams have been able to gather data on expected tyre wear, though just how that impacts the racing itself is unclear. "We have done mileage on the tyres in the winter," says Mark Webber. "They have given us a rough idea of what we should expect, but we need to go racing to see how best to adapt that within a Grand Prix."
"There are some things which are not going to be a surprise probably and that is going to be the tyre performance," the Australian continues, "but it is how we are going to skin the car in the Grand Prix in terms of where you elect to pit, how you are going to tackle the Grand Prix in terms of the strategic side. Those are going to be the things that need answering, and then I suppose a trend will start from this race."
With more emphasis on strategy Fernando Alonso believes it could mean qualifying is less important than it was last year. "Maybe qualifying on Saturday has a little bit less value compared to last year, because on Sunday there will be more things to come, more factors on the track."
Adapting to the new style of racing quickly will be paramount for teams' early season success. With teams down the pecking order more willing to take a risk on a strategy call the opening few races could spring some surprise results until everyone comes to grips - no pun intended - with the strategy the new rubber demands.