Ferrari’s Disappointing Qualifying Performance
Ferrari faced a shocking double exit from Q2 during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, making it the biggest casualty of one of the most unpredictable and exciting qualifying sessions in Formula 1 recently.
Unexpected Tire Dynamics
The emergence of the medium tire as a faster option for a single lap at Imola, compared to the new ultra-aggressive C6 tire, allowed Aston Martin to outperform Ferrari and place them in a difficult situation. Aston Martin had already opted for the mediums for their final qualifying attempts, leaving rivals without time to adjust, except for Mercedes’ George Russell, who gambled on using his race tires late in Q3.
Pirelli’s Inexplicable Performance Disparity
In retrospect, teams could see the advantage of the mediums, as many were caught off guard by the performance disparity. Pirelli itself couldn’t fully explain the situation. Although teams and drivers had expected softer compounds to yield better times, Saturday’s practice indicated that the mediums were performing surprisingly well.
Teams Reassessing Their Strategies
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, noted changes in car balance after the use of soft tires, suggesting that their initial confidence in the C6 was misplaced. Even Pirelli’s motorsport director, Mario Isola, acknowledged that complaints of understeer on Saturday were unexpected, as there were no significant environmental changes to account for them.
Tire Characteristics and Driver Confidence
The primary issue with the C6 was that its softness made it less stable, which affected drivers’ confidence when pushing the limits. The nature of the high-speed Imola circuit, which generates considerable lateral forces, meant that any extra movement from the tires could be problematic for drivers requiring precise handling.
The Impact of Team Decisions on Race Strategy
With hindsight, other teams might wish they had chosen the medium tire strategy, but these commitments had to be made before final practice. Aston Martin’s strategy allowed them the flexibility to use an extra medium in qualifying, based on insights from their tire expert regarding its performance advantages.
Future Race Considerations
Ultimately, the choices made during qualifying could affect the race, as teams that utilized their medium tires for qualifying will have to consider the implications on race-day performance. Carlos Sainz described how the decision to reserve new tires for the race could be beneficial in the long run, despite the temptations during qualifying.
