Perez’s surprise strategy gives Red Bull another line of attack against Hamilton

17 comments on “Perez’s surprise strategy gives Red Bull another line of attack against Hamilton”

1. 

   Gabriel (@gabf1)
   27th June 2021, 0:33

   And this is why Perez was hired. Not just that he can be put on an alternative tyre strategy, but that he can execute it perfectly.

   Almost certainly Red Bull have modelled that the Perez strategy will also disrupt Mercedes race in the later stages in some way.
2. 

   Coventry Climax
   27th June 2021, 0:56

   Great post, @Hazel. You’ve covered most, if not all, of the theory, and very well indeed. It promises to be an intriguing race. I hope mr. spoilsport Masi can keep his fingers of the red button, and let’s us have a real race. So let’s see what real life brings us, tomorrow, and how much of theory turns into reality.
   1. 

      CC
      27th June 2021, 1:17

      Agree. The pre-race analysis articles have been great this year.
      1. 

         Dan Rooke (@geekzilla9000)
         27th June 2021, 6:37

         Yep, I agree also!

         On the a Grand Prix weekend, F1 consumes my entire weekend! I end up reading all sorts of articles analysing FP1/2/3 and then giving a pre-race review. But most of those articles are lazy summaries of what happened with little-to-no insight.

         Whereas this site, and @hazelsouthwell‘s piece here is a great example, are quality pieces of actual journalism and contain actual analysis, they really help to fire the excitement for the race. Excellent points made about McLaren’s fight for third in the Constructor’s Championship.
3. 

   DaveW (@dmw)
   27th June 2021, 1:38

   I see bottas trying to go long and stay in verstappens pit window to support Hamilton’s undercut. Perez on soft seems less able to play the same role for his team. Perez could be thinking soft/hard/soft but didn’t he use an extra red set in q1?
4. 

   LMB-F1 (@luis)
   27th June 2021, 3:49

   For Checo’s strategy to work, he has to pass Lando before turn 3, if not, his strategy will not work, because he will separate a lot from the pointers, and by the time he has to change tires, it may already be too late.

   Checo has a good chance, … however.
   1. 

      Maho Pacheco
      27th June 2021, 5:34

      Also if he doesn’t pass Norris early, a Safety Car or some rain could help.
5. 

   t1redmonkey (@t1redmonkey)
   27th June 2021, 4:31

   80% chance of rain during the race at time of writing, so that could be interesting if it happens.
6. 

   Thomson (@fish123)
   27th June 2021, 4:41

   Perhaps Red Bull may go for an aggressively early undercut with Perez on Hamilton which would mean Hamilton struggles at the end
7. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   27th June 2021, 6:19

   I believe the split strategy is simply because of Perez’s struggle in Q1, which made Red Bull worried he mightn’t reach Q3 unless he used the softest compound available. Whatever the contributor, he has to get past Norris ASAP as otherwise, his starting strategy mightn’t work ideally. Unless rain comes and changes everything, of course.
8. 

   jff
   27th June 2021, 8:07

   Bottas has another obstacle between him and the front runners in the shape of Pierre Gasly.

   I think Gasly will start behind Bottas (but of course can overtake him at the start).
   1. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      27th June 2021, 13:58

      You are right there jff, Gasly starts on the inside position of row no. 3 of the grid about 2 meter behind Bottas. I guess there IS a risk that with his soft tyres and having the inside line he has a solid shot at passing Bottas off the line, as you mention
9. 

   Señor Sjon
   27th June 2021, 9:50

   The first sector from Verstappen is missing in the sector table, also jumping S3 to S2 and S2 to S1.
10. 

    Jeorge (@jeorge)
    27th June 2021, 10:10

    Fantastic article
    I had not even thought of this
11. 

    melanos
    27th June 2021, 10:22

    I still hope that Checo can win a race on merit (the inherited Baku win does not count). Hardly on pure pace, but on strategy and tyre nursing. Without Max’s second pitstop in France (a high-risk but ultimately winning move), this seemed possible as in the final laps his tyres were much fresher (however it was only enough to catch Valtteri, nor Sir Busdriver, even accounting for the 1.5 seconds lost to move away from the charging Max)
    1. 

       Le Jimster (@lejimster82)
       27th June 2021, 13:42

       He wasn’t that far off in Baku, infact I think had he not had to hold Lewis off for all those laps, he would have had the tyres life to mount a challenge on Max.

       I think later in the season we will see a much stronger Checo who is able to mount a proper challenge for wins (if he’s allowed by that point).
12. 

    theRealMax (@millionus)
    27th June 2021, 12:03

    How does Checo have the 3rd fastest time in all 3 sectors and finish 5th..!

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