Pirelli expects one-stop strategy for Zandvoort race despite softer compounds

F1 Grand Prix, GP Netherlands, Circuit Park Zandvoort

Despite having provided drivers with softer compounds for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Pirelli expects the one-stop strategy to turn out as teams’ preferred choice for the Zandvoort race.

Having been quickest in all three free practice sessions and the first two parts of qualifying, Lando Norris was pipped to pole by team-mate Oscar Piastri in Q3. The Australian was just 12 thousandths of a second quicker (1’08”662 to 1’08”674, equivalent to 74 centimetres).

The second row of the grid features two Honda-powered cars, with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen third in 1’08”925 ahead of Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls with a 1’09”208, the Frenchman’s best ever qualifying performance.

Commenting on the qualifying session, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Mario Isola noted: “On a track where overtaking is definitely difficult, qualifying takes on even more importance than usual in deciding the race result.

“While the McLarens seem to have the edge over the rest of the field, their two drivers are separated by almost nothing, just 12 thousandths of a second in fact. It’s very close behind this pair, with the remaining 18 drivers all within the same second.

“Therefore, all the ingredients are in place to produce a closely contested, unpredictable race, with the changeable weather adding another unknown factor to the mix, as well as the possibility of Safety Cars always present on a track where mistakes are always punished.

For the race in the Netherlands, Pirelli has gone a step softer in terms of compounds than last year. The teams will have a choice of the C2 as Hard, the C3 as Medium and the C4 as Soft, whereas in 2024 the available compounds were C1, C2 and C3.

The Milan-based tyre supplier has the aim of increasing the likelihood of a strategy based on two stops, rather than just the one-stop, which has been the predominant choice since this race returned to the calendar in 2022.

The FIA has elected to increase the pit lane speed limit from 60 to 80 km/h, thus reducing the time taken for a pit stop which should provide drivers with further motivation to ponder about a two-stop strategy.

Although simulation shows that the two-stop strategy has a slight advantage in terms of overall time, Pirelli expects teams to pursue a single-stop strategy, because track position established on the opening lap is all important.

“Therefore we believe that a strategy based on a first stint on the Medium and a second with the Hard is the most likely, as it allows teams to cover for the possibility of rain or a Safety Car. For those opting for a two-stop the most likely choice is to use all three compounds, also because only McLaren and Aston Martin have two sets of Hards available.

“The increase in the pit lane speed limit from 60 to 80 km/h will have a significant impact on the time lost during a pit stop, dropping from around 22 seconds to 19 or 20. But that’s not enough to make the two-stop really attractive.

“As for the undercut, we saw here in Zandvoort last year that it is very effective which is one more factor to take into consideration in preparing for the race,” concluded Isola.