P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pirelli’s Chief Engineer Simone Berra noted that the tyre behaviour in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying session at the Miami International Autodrome
According to the sporting regulations, drivers must use specific tire compounds in the three segments of Sprint Qualifying – medium in SQ1 and SQ2, soft in SQ3. Unexpectedly, lap times did not follow the usual pattern of improvement, with a McLaren driver setting a faster time on mediums than the eventual pole sitter on softs. The track temperatures and evolving conditions during Sprint Qualifying led to challenging situations for the drivers. The team managers are analyzing the data to understand the anomaly and make strategic decisions for the upcoming races. The choice of tire compounds for the Sprint race is crucial in such unpredictable conditions, with the medium tires favored but the soft tires also offering advantages, especially at the start. The unusual tire behavior adds an element of uncertainty and excitement to the F1 Sprint weekend, with potential for surprising results in the Grand Prix Qualifying following the Sprint race. Drivers like Verstappen and Norris faced grip issues during SQ3, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the conditions and making informed decisions on tire strategies.
