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F1 ‘needs to make its mind up’ over conservative tyres

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Pirelli’s tires have been on the cautious side in recent seasons, tackling the sport’s fastest generation of cars with more durable compounds that offer less grip but also don’t offer the same grip as earlier offerings Fall off a performance cliff.

But the Italian manufacturer’s approach to safety has gradually undermined the team’s ability to adopt a different strategy. This was exemplified by last month’s Australian Grand Prix, where nearly every team was forced into the same one-stop after an early red flag.

At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg ran almost the entire race on Pirelli’s hard compound, only to end the race with two different tire compounds. pit stop.

Initial criticism of F1’s lack of overtaking in Baku centered on the decision to shorten its main DRS zone by 100 metres, but Haas team principal Steiner believes F1 also needs to revisit its tire compound needs.

“I think we need to look at the tyres,” he said in Miami when asked by Autosport about overtaking in F1.

“When we got off, we always complained. When we didn’t get off, we always complained.

“We need to decide what we want because I think Pirelli offers both ways and then we say there are too many now, so it’s always difficult.

“But I don’t think we should jump to conclusions after last weekend’s race (in Baku). We’ve had good results in overtaking this year, so we should look at them and try to replicate them, not just to last time. What happened felt unsatisfactory for weeks.

“Obviously we all expected the red flag, the safety car, but nothing happened. But I’m pretty sure if something needs to be done, we’ll do it easier. It’s never going to be easy to overtake.”

tires in a tire blanket

tires in a tire blanket

Photography: Steven Tee / motorsport pictures

The importance of strategic differences was highlighted in Miami, where indeed more drivers were overtaking on different pit stop strategies.

But with performance levels across the grid closer than ever due to 2022 regulations, it has been argued that the difference in lap times between the various cars will not be enough to get rid of the dreaded DRS train that happens when drivers don’t This creates a sufficient speed advantage to use DRS to overtake.

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Steiner agreed that reduced overtaking could be a by-product of the new rules, but warned that a downforce-driven championship like F1 would never see the level of overtaking seen in other series.

“It’s always difficult with a single-seater with a big wing – overtaking is always a problem,” he added.

“Sometimes it’s better. I think last year was better than this year. I don’t think we helped ourselves to shorten the DRS zone in Baku, but it’s always difficult.

“I think it’s one of those things, you never have a Formula 1 car, overtaking on two-tenths of an incremental lap time, it’s always going to take more.”

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Autosport Podcast: F1 Monaco GP review

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The reigning F1 world champion was immaculate on the streets of Monte Carlo while others faltered, most notably teammate and main title rival Sergio Perez, who crashed in the first part of qualifying , only ranked 16th.

Monaco was considered Alonso’s best chance to end Red Bull’s runaway train, but crucial pit stops and timing did not let him down at Aston Martin, although he was still able to score his best finish of the season, finishing fourth. two.

Plus: Why Alonso and Aston made decision to guarantee Verstappen win at Monaco

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon was arguably the star of the weekend, qualifying third and finishing in the same position, his third career F1 podium. The result came at a good time, given the team’s recent tensions.

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Meanwhile, it was another frustrating day at Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz slipping from fourth to eighth, while Charles Leclerc failed to make progress from sixth, while Mercedes It has drawn attention with its major upgrade package and has received positive initial reports from the fleet.

Podcast host Martyn Lee joins Matt Kew and Stuart Codling, who were both in Monaco to witness the action firsthand, and breaks down the Monaco Grand Prix win and loss.

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What time are the sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona?

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Spanish GP week is here. Formula 1 drivers are getting little rest at the moment. The Monaco Grand Prix has just ended and the next race is already planned. In Monaco on Sunday, luxury motorhomes were dismantled and they were on their way to Barcelona (region). There, the Spanish Grand Prix is ​​scheduled for Sunday, home to Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

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Timetable Spanish Grand Prix | This is when the F1 drivers will be on track

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Spanish GP week is here. Formula 1 drivers are getting little rest at the moment. The Monaco Grand Prix has just ended and the next race is already planned. In Monaco on Sunday, luxury motorhomes were dismantled and they were on their way to Barcelona (region). There, the Spanish Grand Prix is ​​scheduled for Sunday, home to Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

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