4 ms·
It's not just about overtaking through - previously, strategy relating to fuel and tyre changes was a big part of a race, now this strategic element is all but
by GordonS 6y ago
It's not just about overtaking through - previously, strategy relating to fuel and tyre changes was a big part of a race, now this strategic element is all but gone.
- mrkwse 6y agoRefuelling actually hinders the importance of team strategies as once the car is fuelled, there's a fixed point at which a pitstop has to happen by. Without that, and with the degradation of tyres offering a similar performance hindrance as higher fuel levels, there's far more freedom in strategy, with similar consequences for the wrong call costing a race (or the right one sealing it). Here's a current strategist's thoughts on it: https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/go6c9m/im_an_f1_engineerstrategist_ask_me_anything/freavh2/ https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/go6c9m/im_an_f1_e... (TL;DR fuel restricted racing is more deterministic)
- toyg 6y agoTyre changes are still absolutely critical. Case in point: yesterday Albon's last stint on softs would have likely pipped an otherwise-dominant Mercedes to P2 and possibly even P1, had Hamilton not "touched" him out of contention. I personally didn't like fuel changes, probably because I started watching F1 before they were introduced and it made me mad that a less efficient, less-reliable engine could now win over more solid ones. They are also spectacularly dangerous for drivers and crew - as Jos Verstappen can attest.