The Barcelona weekend introduced surprises even on Sunday. The race was full of fixed drama, from different methods to technical points and on-track incidents. Sadly, one of many key moments that reshaped the race got here from the technical problem that pressured 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 Delicate tyres. One of many few drivers to go in opposition to this pattern was Max Verstappen, who, having already made yet another cease than the others, had no contemporary C3 Delicate or C2 Medium units obtainable. Earlier than discussing the pit wall selections that decided the ultimate results of the Spanish GP, let’s recap the methods seen throughout the race.
Technique Recap
Pirelli’s predictions got here true. The abrasive Spanish circuit led most groups to plan for two-stop methods, which changed into 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 underneath SC: Lawson and Bortoleto on S-M-S, and Ocon on S-M-M.
Each Pink Bull drivers ended up on 4 stops. Max Verstappen was trying to chase down McLaren with a three-stop technique to all the time have contemporary tyres, and with out the Security Automotive, he may 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 didn’t yield factors.
Verstappen’s race took a dramatic flip when, known as into the pits throughout the Security Automotive, he was fitted with Laborious tyres. The four-time world champion was livid on the radio, however calmed down as soon as knowledgeable that it was the one obtainable 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 damage.
Two Stops Had been Vital, Verstappen Goes Threatening with Three
Pirelli’s expectations have been correct. Earlier immediately, it was speculated that somebody would possibly attempt a one-stop technique, however the heavy degradation seen throughout the race confirmed that two stops have been the most effective answer at Montmeló. S-M-S was clearly the quickest.
Pink Bull gambled with Max Verstappen by bringing him in thrice, but when the Security Automotive hadn’t intervened, the fixed entry to contemporary tyres may need saved 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 niche of round 2 seconds.
Pink Bull Throws Max to the Lions
When the Security Automotive got here out, almost all drivers pitted. McLaren executed an ideal double cease regardless of having solely 3.1 seconds between their automobiles, sustaining place underneath stress from Max.
As for Pink 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 mistaken transfer. The staff’s excuse—instantly relayed to the complaining driver—was: “We had no different units obtainable.” 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’ contemporary rubber, however it may need prevented the slide on the ultimate 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. Initially, he rapidly handed Antonelli (who later retired attributable to an influence unit problem 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. Because of 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 Delicate set he saved by compromising Q3 and qualifying solely seventh. However the Security Automotive arrived at simply the fitting time, letting him lastly use that Delicate compound he’d fought to maintain. A masterstroke—helped by both Pink Bull’s error or unhealthy luck—that allowed him to complete third whereas Verstappen struggled on Hards within the ultimate 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 obtainable information to elucidate 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 absolutely clarify the tempo hole.
Essentially the most believable concept is that Lewis poorly managed his tyres behind the Security Automotive. In consequence, when Nico hit the efficiency peak of his contemporary 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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