Photo credit: www.autosport.com
McLaren Team Reflects on Tyre Management Challenges After Chinese Grand Prix Sprint
Andrea Stella, the principal of McLaren, acknowledged that the team mismanaged tyre graining during the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, despite Oscar Piastri finishing in second place.
Tyre graining typically manifests in cooler track conditions or when tyres heat unevenly, a scenario all too familiar at the Chinese GP due to its long-radius corners that exert significant stress on the tyres.
This phenomenon arises when the surface of the tyre overheats relative to its carcass, leading to tiny fissures that can form irregular bands of rubber at the contact patch. Such degradation reduces grip; if not addressed, it results in further tyre breakdown. Although complete reversal of graining isn’t feasible, drivers can often mitigate the issue by ensuring a more uniform tyre temperature.
In a race, however, being caught in the wake of another driver complicates matters. Reduced aerodynamic performance increases the likelihood of sliding, and excessive lateral movement generates friction that exacerbates graining. This mainly impacts the front tyres, where loss of front wing performance due to turbulence is most pronounced, resulting in diminished traction.
Prolonged exposure to turbulent air from the car ahead can accelerate tyre wear, forcing teams to make a critical decision: pull back to reset the tyres or proceed with a pit stop.
During the sprint, nearly every competitor faced graining issues; even race victor Lewis Hamilton had to navigate this challenge. Leading the race provided him with an advantage over others struggling with tyre wear, while McLaren appeared to falter under traffic conditions. Lando Norris’s mistake at Turn 6 placed him behind Lance Stroll, and Piastri ran out of grip shortly after overtaking Max Verstappen.
“In the race, and as a solid learning opportunity from the sprint, we recognized our struggle with the front tyres,” Stella remarked to Sky Sports F1. “Lando experienced more traffic, and our strategy to manage the graining didn’t yield the results we anticipated.”
Stella expressed hope that the team could find a competitive edge for the race, noting, “We need to assess our long-run pace, especially if the conditions mirror those observed in the sprint, as competitors like Ferrari appear to be managing their front tyres more effectively.”
George Russell of Mercedes also felt the impact of tyre management; after initially losing time, he began to close in on Verstappen but faced a late challenge from Charles Leclerc that made it difficult for him to capitalize on his momentum.
Finishing just 1.8 seconds behind Verstappen, Russell shared his perspective with Sky Sports F1: “Tyre management was crucial. Lewis was under pressure, but he managed to keep his tyres in good shape and quickly pulled away from the pack. At one point, I felt comfortable, being just four seconds away from Oscar and four seconds ahead of Charles, but then the situation shifted, and Charles started gaining on me.”
The challenges evident in the sprint race will likely inform McLaren and their competitors’ strategies moving into the next races of the season.
Source
www.autosport.com