Longrun analysis: Mercedes and Verstappen do not opt for quickest strategy

Due to the limited number of practice minutes the drivers have in Imola, it is a lot more difficult to make good predictions about everyone's race pace. Nevertheless, there are a number of things that can be investigated, such as the durability of the tyres and therefore the expected strategy.

Motorsport Magazin took a look at the data from the single practice session and it showed that a single stopper is going to be the quickest strategy. A strategy from the softest tyre to the medium is the fastest, followed by a one-stopper from soft to hard. 

Verstappen faster than Bottas?

The strategy where they start on the medium tyre, after which they finish the race on the hardest tyre could be favourable. On the long runs Lewis Hamilton seemed to be faster than Max Verstappen on the softest tyre. Because for the rest the Dutchman has only practised on the hardest tyre, the data is not entirely comparable.

The Mercedes-duo has driven the longest run on the medium tyre. It is striking that Verstappen was faster than Valtteri Bottas on a harder tyre. So Verstappen seems to be able to keep up with the pace of the two Mercedes drivers. Behind the three it is going to be exciting, because the midfield is again very close together.