McLaren open minded on tyre gamble

Hamilton ended Red Bull Racing's pole position streak in Montreal by using the super soft tyre which, while quicker for a single lap, will not last as long as the medium tyres used by main rival Red Bull Racing.

That tyre choice means both teams will be running very different strategies in the race - and Whitmarsh thinks it too early to say now which was the right route.

"Lewis was quick on both types of tyres," said Whitmarsh. "We had quite a lot of debate in the team about which way we should go, and I guess we will know after the race if we got it right.

"Inevitably everyone has to use the option tyre at some point and it will be I think difficult for someone who starts on the prime to run 20-30 laps and then switch to the option and go to the end.

"You definitely have to two stop if you start on the prime, and we will see. If there are safety cars then it may make it look a better or worse decision, but to get to the end you have to run with the option tyre. It will clearly be a short stint and, as everyone has to do that, we are choosing to do that at the beginning of the race."

The danger for Hamilton is that if he does not build up enough of a gap early in the race, then he will not be able to change to the medium tyres and resume on track ahead of the slower midfield cars that have started on that compound.

"When you are without refuelling, you are trying to drop into gaps," added Whitmarsh. "In truth I think even with the prime tyre there is fairly serious degradation. I don't think people will be running as long on the prime tyre as we have perhaps seen on a few occasions this year."