British Grand Prix Faces Tricky Tire Strategies

Cool conditions and potential rain throw curveballs at Silverstone.

Unpredictable weather conditions at Silverstone could force Formula 1 teams to be reactive when it comes to tire strategy for the British Grand Prix. A morning shower has complicated planning, with more rain anticipated throughout the race.

Pirelli’s Perspective

According to **Mario Isola**, head of motorsport at Pirelli, the colder temperatures will change tire performance. With lower track temperatures, thermal degradation is less of a concern than graining, leading to physical wear. Careful tire management will be essential, especially for teams attempting a one-stop strategy.

According to data from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, proper tire management, including maintaining correct inflation pressure, can extend tire life by as much as 4,700 miles (USTires.org).

One Stop or Two?

**Isola** estimates a two- to three-second difference between a one-stop and a two-stop strategy, with a slight advantage to the latter. Track position is valuable, but excessive tire wear could quickly derail a one-stop approach, making the two-stop strategy the safer choice.

For teams like Aston Martin, Williams, Racing Bulls, and Haas, limited hard tire sets complicate matters. While a medium-hard-soft strategy remains an option, it demands careful management to extend the initial stints since the soft tires are only optimal for 10 to 14 laps.

The Impact of Cooler Conditions

Cooler conditions shift the focus from thermal degradation to mechanical issues, especially on the front-left tire due to Silverstone’s high-speed, right-hand corners. **Isola** noted that Friday long runs indicated manageable degradation, with the medium compound performing well. The hard compound is consistent and presents no management issues.

“The limitation is the front left, and it is about wear, while the degradation is something they can manage,” **Isola** explained. “We saw [on Friday] from the long runs that the degradation was quite manageable. They can manage the race pace in order to keep the degradation at the level they want.”

Grip Concerns

**Isola** suggested that the delta between medium and hard tires, initially calculated during warmer conditions, could widen due to lower grip levels from Sunday’s rain. The hard tire’s reduced grip could further increase the lap time difference.

“Clearly, in colder conditions, maybe the hard could have a slightly lower grip compared to what we have seen yesterday,” he added. “It is a possibility. The delta lap time between hard and medium was at 0.7s, I believe, in the range of 0.7s. If the hard has less grip than expected, this delta could be a little bit more.”

Wet Weather Scenarios

In wet conditions, intermediate tires become crucial. Last year’s race showed their strong initial grip, but they degraded rapidly as the track dried. Teams may need to prioritize softer compounds to maximize grip in colder conditions if the delta prediction holds.

“If we have rain in the morning and the track is not in perfect dry condition at the start of the race, it’s much better to start on the medium rather than the hard, because clearly you have more grip in these changeable conditions,” **Isola** concluded.

As if on cue, the rain has returned to Silverstone, underscoring the need for adaptable race strategies.