The Barcelona weekend introduced surprises even on Sunday. The race was full of fixed drama, from diversified methods to technical points and on-track incidents. Sadly, one of many key moments that reshaped the race got here from the technical challenge that compelled Antonelli to retire on lap 55 of 66.
The deployment of the Security Automotive reset the race, giving drivers a free likelihood to pit and swap to Gentle tyres. One of many few drivers to go towards this pattern was Max Verstappen, who, having already made another cease than the others, had no recent C3 Gentle or C2 Medium units out there. Earlier than discussing the pit wall choices that decided the ultimate results of the Spanish GP, let’s recap the methods seen through the race.
Technique Recap
Pirelli’s predictions got here true. The abrasive Spanish circuit led most groups to plan for two-stop methods, which become three for a lot of because of the Security Automotive introduced out by the incident involving Antonelli. Solely three drivers caught to 2 stops with out pitting beneath SC: Lawson and Bortoleto on S-M-S, and Ocon on S-M-M.
Each Purple Bull drivers ended up on 4 stops. Max Verstappen was trying to chase down McLaren with a three-stop technique to at all times have recent tyres, and with out the Security Automotive, he might need completed very near Norris in third (S-S-M-S for the Dutchman). Much less efficient was Tsunoda’s M-S-S-S technique from the pit lane, which did not yield factors.
Verstappen’s race took a dramatic flip when, referred to as into the pits through the Security Automotive, he was fitted with Exhausting tyres. The four-time world champion was livid on the radio, however calmed down as soon as knowledgeable that it was the one out there set. He completed on the S-S-M-S-H sequence, whereas Yuki Tsunoda, eradicated in Q1 on Saturday, ran M-S-S-S-S.
Summarizing all methods:
S-M-S-S for Piastri, Norris, Russell, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Hadjar, Alonso and Colapinto
S-M-M-S for Leclerc and Bearman
S-S-M-S for Gasly and Sainz
Retirements: Antonelli and Albon
Lance Stroll didn’t take part attributable to a flare-up of wrist ache from a 2023 harm.
Two Stops Had been Obligatory, Verstappen Goes Threatening with Three
Pirelli’s expectations have been correct. Earlier in the present day, it was speculated that somebody would possibly strive a one-stop technique, however the heavy degradation seen through the race confirmed that two stops have been one of the best answer at Montmeló. S-M-S was clearly the quickest.
Purple Bull gambled with Max Verstappen by bringing him in 3 times, but when the Security Automotive hadn’t intervened, the fixed entry to recent tyres might need stored him near the McLarens, ending simply seconds off third. On the time of the SC, Norris was second and lapping about 3–4 tenths faster than Max, with a spot of round 2 seconds.
Purple Bull Throws Max to the Lions
When the Security Automotive got here out, practically all drivers pitted. McLaren executed an ideal double cease regardless of having solely 3.1 seconds between their automobiles, sustaining place beneath stress from Max.
As for Purple Bull’s choice to place Max Verstappen on Hards, it may be summed up as: they threw him to the lions. With solely 11 laps to go and the remainder of the grid on Softs, becoming Hards was completely the flawed transfer. The crew’s excuse—instantly relayed to the complaining driver—was: “We had no different units out there.” Nonetheless, placing on the Hards clearly uncovered him. Maybe they need to have left him on the Softs fitted eight laps earlier. Sure, these would’ve been worn in comparison with rivals’ recent rubber, however it might need prevented the slide on the last nook earlier than Charles Leclerc’s overtake.
The Security Automotive Permits Leclerc to Capitalize on Q3 Technique
Charles Leclerc as soon as once more delivered an distinctive race. In the beginning, he shortly handed Antonelli (who later retired attributable to an influence unit challenge confirmed by Mercedes: oil stress loss) and settled into Lewis Hamilton’s slipstream. Ferrari could have taken too lengthy to swap positions between its drivers, as Leclerc clearly had extra tempo. Due to good pit calls, he overtook Russell and secured P4.
His technique: S-M-M. Had the race ended like that, Leclerc wouldn’t have used the additional Gentle set he saved by compromising Q3 and qualifying solely seventh. However the Security Automotive arrived at simply the best time, letting him lastly use that Gentle compound he’d fought to maintain. A masterstroke—helped by both Purple Bull’s error or dangerous luck—that allowed him to complete third whereas Verstappen struggled on Hards within the last 11 laps.
Hulkenberg Fifth Forward of Lewis Hamilton. What Occurred to the Seven-Time World Champion?
We thought-about all the probabilities, and the one out there knowledge to clarify how Hulkenberg in a Sauber overtook Lewis Hamilton are the tyre variations. Nico had new Softs, Lewis had used ones. Nonetheless, that alone doesn’t totally clarify the tempo hole.
Essentially the most believable principle is that Lewis poorly managed his tyres behind the Security Automotive. In consequence, when Nico hit the efficiency peak of his recent C3s, Lewis would possibly’ve had his tyres out of the working window. It could sound like nitpicking, however for now, that’s our greatest guess.
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