In preparation for the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula 1 drivers and teams are facing uncertainty in choosing the best tyre compound for qualifying in Montreal due to the introduction of the C6 compound and Pirelli’s aggressive tyre selection strategy.
The softest grade of tyres, C6, is expected to offer more performance over a single lap, but with the small delta between C6 and C5 compounds, concerns arise about potential overheating on the softest rubber in higher temperatures during qualifying.
Past races at Imola and Monaco have shown teams opting for the medium compounds for qualifying, with Fernando Alonso achieving a remarkable Q3 lap on mediums at Imola.
Teams are now contemplating saving a set of mediums for qualifying in Montreal, as indicated by George Russell and Carlos Sainz, to navigate the challenge of managing the soft tyres for optimal performance.
Saturday’s final practice session will be crucial for teams to gather data and make informed decisions on tyre strategy, with drivers like Alonso emphasizing the need for more information before committing to a tyre choice for qualifying.
