Hamilton wins in China using a two stop strategy

(Pirelli Motorsport Media)

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton took his second victory of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday using a two stop strategy.

The Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team driver finished the race just ahead of team mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton started the race from pole position on a used set of the P-Zero yellow walled Soft compound tyres before switching to a new set of the Soft tyres on lap 12.

The Mercedes driver than stopped on lap 33 for a set of the white walled Medium compound tyres. Sahara Force India Formula One Team’s Sergio ‘Checco’ Perez was the only driver on the grid to complete a three stop strategy. 

The Mexican started the race a new set of the Soft compound tyres before switching to another new set of the Soft tyres on lap 11. Checco stopped again on lap 26 for a used set of Soft tyres before making his final stop on lap 41 for a set of new Medium compound tyres.

The longest stint on the P-Zero yellow walled tyres was carried out by Infiniti Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo who completed 22 laps of the Shanghai International Circuit. Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel completed the most consecutive laps of 26 on a set of the white walled Medium compound tyre.

Speaking about the Chinese Grand Prix Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery stated:

‘The falling track temperature over the course of the grand prix meant that the race tactics were quite hard to predict. This led to the frontrunners adopting very similar strategies, with some attempting to pit slightly earlier and gain track position with an ‘undercut’. In terms of pure performance, the tyres were in line with or in excess of our expectations.’

© Ben Johnston 2015