Mercedes potential outside F1 strategy as Canadian GP tire groups return

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The weekend in Montreal, with FP1 effectively wiped out by CCTV issues and rain affecting Saturday’s run, left the teams facing more doubts about strategy.

However, it did lead to more freedom in managing tire selection throughout the event as teams did not need to maintain race groups as much as they would in a more normal event.

But as the top teams’ tire options came to light on Sunday morning, it was interesting to note that Mercedes joined Ferrari as the only team to leave their drivers with just one set of difficulties for the race.

Of the top six finishers, Max Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon each have two sets of new hards and two sets of new mediums available, while Fernando Alonso has two sets of solids and one medium.

Starting in row two, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have just one set of new solids available along with two sets of intermediates.

It is understood that Mercedes chose to customize their tires, which was done after FP3, just in case the track was dry enough in qualifying to require slicks throughout. Having extra soft materials for those conditions would have been a huge advantage.

The option is particularly interesting because Pirelli’s F1 team boss, Mario Isola, says his company’s prediction remains that the best approach to racing is to race two stops, start on intermediate and then go two laps on hard.

Isola said: “Looking at the simulations and the data collected on Friday, we believe that the strategies as they were projected before coming here are still valid.

“This is a start on medium compound and then transition to hard compound. Then finally a second set on hard compound.”

This two-stop approach is something Mercedes won’t have a choice going for, as it will be locked into just one challenging mission.

This effectively means that he will either have to go through one stop, which will likely be medium to difficult, or try out two stops which involve returning to medium for the final task.

Isola added: “There’s an alternative strategy, maybe for people who start at the back of the grid, and it’s starting hard, moving to middle. So after about 45 laps, they’re moving to medium.

“Obviously that would be with a lighter car because in practice, don’t forget, with the Medium we had some graininess.

“This is still possible [to happen], especially after Saturday, with an all-green track and no rubber. We can have dry conditions but still get off the middle, while the hardness is more consistent.

The other way is two stops. If they don’t have a second set of solids, they can start in medium, move up to hard for the second task and back to medium for the last stint.

“Soft is not really a compound for racing. We also know that from last year.”

Mechanics in the garage with George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

While Mercedes sticks to just one tough task, Verstappen’s tire choice ultimately gives them more freedom in choosing their approach – which could come in handy as it becomes clearer in the early stages of the race just how the mean holds up.

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If a medium is poorly grained and doesn’t prove to be an ideal racing tire, then it can do a tough double-take.

If the medium proves to be more durable and consistent, they can choose to run that after difficulty to dash to the flag.

Alonso’s choice of tires means that if he goes in two pit stops, his final stint will be tough.

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