What are the possible strategies for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

For the last time this season, Pirelli announced the strategies recommended to the teams of Formula 1 for the 58 laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A start on medium tires is the preferred option, although hard tires are not ruled out. One or two pit stops are possible for the Milanese manufacturer. As a reminder, Pirelli brought soft tires from its range to the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi: the C3 (hard), C4 (medium), and C5 (soft).

It should be noted, however, that the grip on the Yas Marina circuit is relatively low this year, causing graining on the front tires. The asphalt has indeed been renewed between turns 1 and 4, as well as at the exit of turn 6. This could be a cause for concern. McLaren but especially Lando Norris who had described the problem as his " worst nightmare "After the Sprint in China. If the lack of grip impacts tire degradation, then tires could play a decisive role in the title battle between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen et Oscar piastriIn this scenario, a two-stop strategy might therefore be unavoidable.

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F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Possible strategies

For this final round of the 2025 F1 season, a start on medium tires is preferred, but it will also be possible to use hard tires for the first stint.

A single pit stop remains the most competitive option, and two starting tire compounds allow for this. For a start on medium tires, drivers should ideally pit between laps 20 and 26 to switch to hard tires. However, if they start on hard tires, they could switch to soft tires between laps 39 and 45.

For teams preferring a two-stop option, the medium tire will be preferred at the start of the race, then switching to hard tires between laps 37 and 43 to switch back to a set of medium tires, or laps 34 and 40 to continue on new hard tires, or laps 40 and 46 to finish the Grand Prix on soft tires.

It should also be noted that if the drivers decided to start on a soft compound, they would benefit from better traction: +2,07 meters compared to those fitted with medium tires and +4,03 meters compared to hard tires.

F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The tire sets available for the race

In terms of tire allocation, McLaren is the only team with two sets of new hard tires, while Max Verstappen has two sets of medium tires. It's also worth noting that none of the drivers who reached Q3 have new soft tires.

In the second part of qualifying, however, Max Verstappen managed to extract the maximum from his already worn soft tires. The Dutchman could therefore consider starting on fresh hard tires and then switching back to a worn soft tire towards the end of the race. The rest of the field, on the other hand, still benefits from fresh soft tires. This gives them more strategic options.

Join us at 2pm for the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to be followed live with commentary on AUTOhebdo.fr from 1pm (French time).

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