Pirelli doesn't plan for rain yet, one-stop strategy fastest by far

With every driver in the top ten, starting on the yellow mediums, a one-stop is almost inevitable. Pirelli also expects the teams to run a one-stop race in all likelihood. But, with a wet track that doesn't seem to be drying up any time soon, a lot can still change for the teams.

If it is a dry race, where the drivers will start on slicks, Pirelli says it is an easy strategy. Start on the yellow tyre and finish on the white hard tyre or for drivers outside the top ten, start on the white tyre and finish on the yellow tyre.

The possible ways to the #FrenchGP #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/UubDQLrnvf

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 20, 2021

Will rain make a change?

The big question is if the track stays wet enough for the drivers to start on rain tyres. In that case, the strategy will change as well, because drivers won't be able to drive a long first stint on the yellow tyre. Especially if the track dries quickly afterwards, the teams will be faced with some difficult choices.

Between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes, there is no big difference in the tyres they can use. Only Sergio Perez has no sets of the red tyre left, while Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen do. He still has a set of the yellow mediums left.

What’s still on the menu. #FrenchGP #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/iQufNYoOaR

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 20, 2021