2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis

2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis - Top 3
2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis - Top 3
Advertisement
Advertisement

2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was fastest In qualifying, with the top three drivers covered by just six-hundredths of a second, having used the P Zero Red soft tyre from start to finish. The same tactic was used by all the teams, with the exception of Mercedes, which ran the P Zero Yellow medium in Q1.

Conditions remained dry all day, with qualifying getting underway at 3pm in 21 degrees centigrade ambient and 23 degrees of track temperature.

Verstappen also went fastest in the hour-long FP3 session this morning, setting fastest time on the soft tyre. With FP3 being the first time that the teams had run the slick compounds, they concentrated on maximising their learning and collecting as much data as possible in a variety of configurations, including long runs.

With yesterday having been declared wet, the teams were entitled to a carry-over set of slick tyres for FP3, before handing them back as per the regulations. This gave the opportunity for extra running.

We learned today that the degradation on the soft and medium tyres seems higher than expected, while the performance gap between them is less than the estimation. We saw no graining.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was given to Verstappen by Robert Reid, the current FIA Deputy President for Sport and 2001 World Rally Champion co-driver. Reid, who won his title alongside the late Richard Burns on Pirelli tyres, is closely linked to Japanese motorsport, having competed for manufacturers like Mitsubishi and notably Subaru – with whom he claimed his world championship 21 years ago. In his former role, Reid has also been involved in developing young rally drivers through the Pirelli Star Driver scheme – organised in collaboration with the FIA – and he is additionally a previous winner of the Pirelli International Rally in his native United Kingdom: a round of the British Rally Championship based near Pirelli’s facility in Carlisle.

2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Possible Race Strategies

With just one hour of free practice this morning, the teams are lacking dry data for the 53-lap Japanese Grand Prix. The fastest strategy on paper is a two-stopper using the soft and medium tyres: probably with the medium used once during the middle stint. Soft followed by two medium stints is another viable two-stopper, for those with two mediums left.

A one-stopper could be possible as well, depending on degradation rates. This could be soft to P Zero White hard, or medium to hard – which is slightly slower on paper but requires less management. What’s clear is that all three compounds have a valid role to play tomorrow and a wide variety of strategies are theoretically possible.

The weather and track conditions on Sunday will ultimately decide the way to go. Track temperatures are expected to be a bit cooler than today and there’s a still a chance of rain.

This might favour the softer compounds – while the wet running yesterday could turn out to be extremely useful as well.

2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis

2022 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying Tyre Analysis
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in News

Charles Leclerc

Japan Saw A Very Fourth-Coming Charles Leclerc!

One may not exactly recollect but at the end of ...
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JULY 09: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on July 09, 2022 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202207090203 // Usage for editorial use only //

Storm Clouds Gather Over Sergio Perez

As Max Verstappen celebrated his return to form and Red ...
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix, Friday 15th September 2023. Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore.

Williams Boss Backs Under Fire Logan Sargeant

As new questions are asked about Sergio Perez's future at ...
SUZUKA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 24: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on September 24, 2023 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309240150 // Usage for editorial use only //

Dominant Max Verstappen Seals 2023 Constructor’s Championship For Red Bull

From his first laps on Friday to the last lap ...
2023 Japanese Grand Prix: Sunday Tyre Analysis - Podium

2023 Japanese Grand Prix: Sunday Tyre Analysis

2023 Japanese Grand Prix: Sunday Tyre Analysis - Max Verstappen ...
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending on F1 Chronicle

Advertisement
Advertisement