Sunday 29 March 2015

Pirelli Malaysian Grand Prix Race Report

(Pirelli Motorsport Media)

Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel put a two stop strategy to good use to claim his first victory as a driver for Maranello based team while the Italian outfit secured their first win since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

Vettel started the race on the White walled Medium compound tyre and switched to a second set of the Medium compound tyre on lap 17. The German made his final stop of the day on lap 37 for a set of the Orange walled Hard compound tyre. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton used a three stop strategy which helped him to finish the race in second place behind Vettel.

The double world champion started the race from pole position a set of the Medium compound tyre. He made his first stop of the race on lap 4 for a new set of the Hard compound tyre. He stopped again on lap 24 for a new set of the Medium compound tyre before making his final stop on lap 38 for a set of new Hard tyres.

Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s Nico Rosberg made his first stop on lap 4 of the race for a set of used Medium compound tyres. The German made his second stop on lap 26 for a set of new Hard tyres before making his final stop on lap 41 for a set of new Medium tyres.

Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz and Sergio ‘Checco’ Perez were the only drivers who completed the race using a two stop strategy.

A two stop strategy was the norm for the Malaysian Grand Prix, however the Sauber F1 Team’s Felipe Nasr made 4 stops on lap 2 (New Hard), 20 (New Hard), 30 (New Hard) and 43(Medium New). Speaking following the race, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery stated:

'I think we did our bit today. We saw a great strategic battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, with two different approaches to the race, which were also influenced by an early safety car period. Despite the highest track temperatures we are likely to see all year, the tyres did not suffer from blistering or graining, enabling a two-stop strategy to be not only possible, but victorious. The different tyre strategies available set up an exciting battle for the race victory and underlined the difference that using the tyres to the best effect can make. Congratulations to Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel for a truly memorable victory.'

© Ben Johnston 2015


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