Pirelli expect more "flexibility" in the Austrian Grand Prix

Saturday went according to plan for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Verstappen is on pole position again, while Red Bull is also in good shape with Sergio Perez on P3. Mercedes however had a lesser day and will start from P4 and P5.

Pirelli also saw Verstappen dominate and saw that the different type of tyres compared to last weekend are already making a difference. “The new and softer selection of compounds for this race has already had an effect on the strategy for this weekend, with several drivers aiming to get through Q2 on the medium tyre and six of the top 10 starting on it tomorrow," said Mario Isola on the Pirelli site. He believes this will make the race more exciting in terms of strategy than last weekend.

"This adds a bit of flexibility to the strategy, but it wasn’t easy to guarantee in qualifying, as the soft tyre still conferred a speed advantage that was hard to beat."

The race in Austria

It was tremendously hot in Spielberg during qualifying, but Pirelli says it is far from certain that the same will be true on Sunday. "Temperatures were extremely warm today but this is far from certain for the Grand Prix tomorrow, adding another interesting variable to what is already a strategically complex race after qualifying, with both one and two stops expected.”

Pirelli said earlier that they expect a little more two-stops this weekend compared to last weekend. Still, the tyre supplier itself expects a one-stop to be the quickest. Verstappen and Perez, along with many drivers in the top 10, will start on the medium tyre.