How Red Bull calculated the best pit strategy in Abu Dhabi 2021

Computer simulations are becoming an increasingly important part of Formula 1. Will Courtenay, Red Bull Racing's chief strategist, explains how the pit strategy was created in Abu Dhabi 2021.

We are now in the middle of the 2022 season, but there are still occasional reflections on the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race. Max Verstappen won his first world title there on the final lap of the race.

The Dutchman chose to come in for a new set of tyres during the safety car period in the closing stages, but title rival Lewis Hamilton continued on his old tyres. This allowed Verstappen to overtake the Brit on the final lap of the race.

Computer simulation helped in Abu Dhabi

Red Bull use different data to make decisions about strategy. Simulations can help determine how many pit stops to make, as well as the possible consequences of a safety car situation.

"When that happened in Abu Dhabi, the model was very clear: it showed that whatever Lewis Hamilton does, we have to do the opposite. So if he goes into the pits, we must not do that. Then we end up in front and hope we can keep that up. And if he doesn't go into the pits, then we have to do it and then try to overtake him on new tyres. That's what we did and it worked," Courtenay said in conversation with The Telegraaf.