In the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, once Carlos Sainz Jnr lost the lead during lap 15, it became clear that reclaiming that position would be a tough ask for the Ferrari team. As Max Verstappen of Red Bull surged ahead, Ferrari had an immediate decision to make regarding their strategy.
Ferrari could have opted to respond by pitting Sainz right away, a move that could have allowed them to react effectively to Red Bull’s next steps. However, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur explained that the risks associated with an early pit stop were too significant, especially given the race's altered length of 51 laps due to a late start. “We were all a bit worried with the life of the hard [tyre],” said Vasseur. “We were a bit blind because we didn’t do a long stint before [in practice].”
The decision not to pit was based on cautious calculations. Vasseur added, “It was also a risk to stop very early. We were all at the limit. I think Max the last couple of laps had some issue with the front-left also and we had not so much margin.” This caution stemmed from several factors, including the Alternative Tyre Allocation implemented that weekend, which limited tire options due to disrupted pre-race preparations.
Throughout the race weekend, teams had less track time to gauge tire performance, a setback worsened by Sergio Perez's spin during second practice, which compromised long run simulations across the board. Drivers faced challenges with tire degradation throughout the warmest race day. Sainz reflected on the issue, stating, “It did feel high deg for me. It did feel more like a two-stop than a one-stop.”
Ultimately, Ferrari settled on a one-stop strategy based on pre-race data, though Sainz admitted, “Honestly, I was probably five laps short in each of these things. The last four laps I did on the medium I did it with zero rubber left.” His remarks underscore the difficulty of managing tire wear under pressure.
Meanwhile, strategies among other teams varied. Notably, no drivers who opted for a two-stop made significant gains, with Liam Lawson being the highest-placed two-stopper finishing in 12th. Furthermore, Alpine’s strategy of splitting stops between drivers proved ineffective despite their efforts to adapt. Pierre Gasly shared his perspective: “We thought we’ll try something different on both cars...when you’re lacking so much performance like that you’ve just got to gamble.”
Alfa Romeo faced similar struggles yet achieved relative success by adopting a one-stop strategy with Valtteri Bottas, who managed to secure his team’s first point since Canada. Regarding tire performance, Perez remarked humorously, “I don’t know who brought the red flag there in the end on Friday... nobody really did more than four laps.” This limited experience with the tires compounded the uncertainty during the race.
The interplay of softer tires, the Alternative Tyre Allocation, and the pre-race disruption is expected to be a point of discussion as Formula 1 evaluates the implications for future races. As the teams reflect on these tactics, the question remains whether the changes ultimately made the race more captivating.
In the backdrop of these races, Formula 1 is closely monitoring how teams adapt to new rules and formats. Discussions surrounding the effectiveness of strategies deployed during the Italian Grand Prix will likely inform the sport’s approach moving forward. As teams gear up for upcoming races, their ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining their competitiveness in the standings.