Pirelli say strategies will vary in Singapore

Pirelli has outlined the different strategies for the Singapore Grand Prix, believing that it will be a mix of a one and two stop race. The Italian marque brought the hyper soft, ultra soft and soft compounds to the street circuit for the weekend.

All the drivers starting the Grand Prix from inside the top ten will start on the pink-walled hyper soft compound, as it is the tyre they fitted when they set their fastest laps in Q2.

However, those outside the top ten are free to choose which compound it starts the race on. Pirelli says those inside the top ten will have to complete a two-stop strategy (hyper soft/ultra soft/ultra soft), while those who didn't advance into Q3 can make it to the end on an ultra soft/soft approach.

“Qualifying has set up an intriguing mix of tactical possibilities, influenced by the decision to bring the Hypersoft to Singapore,” said Pirelli chief Mario Isola. “Its unprecedented speed is clearly beyond question, but this has to be balanced against the degradation we have seen so far when it comes to formulating the strategy.

“For this reason, we have seen a few different ideas during qualifying, and it’s going to be fascinating to see which strategy turns out to be the best option. Adding another variable is the fact that the Singapore Grand Prix is a very long and eventful race that has historically always featured at least one Safety Car period.

“So the strategies will have to be flexible enough to rapidly capitalise on changing circumstances as they happen. All three compounds could definitely play a potential role in the strategy, with nearly zero degradation on the soft.”