GP2 evolves tire strategy

The provision of a third set of hard tires reserved for free practice will allow GP2 Series drivers to work on tire strategy in more depth in order to be better prepared for their possible arrival in F1. The drivers will thus have two sets of hard tires and two of soft tires for qualifying and the two races held over the weekend. This choice was made in order to favor the tire strategies which are so important today in F1 by using the two categories of rubber during the compulsory stop of Race 1. This change will take place from the next round of Silverstone.

“Tire management and strategy are now paramount in F1”, recalls Bruno Michel, the director of the discipline. “Our main objective is to prepare our drivers for the next step by getting closer to the strategies used in F1. We try to keep in touch with F1 testing and adding a fifth set of tires is a fantastic chance for teams and drivers to work on new and exciting strategies. This will allow drivers to increase their track time during Friday free practice and, as in F1, teams will be able to use two different sets of tires for the Saturday race. I am happy that Pirelli has accepted our rule change which will allow us to raise the level of the show even further. »