New 2018 F1 tyre compounds are set to have an effect in Chinese GP
Pirelli designed its 2018 Formula 1 tyres to encourage strategic variation and its compound choices for the Chinese Grand Prix have created two key consequences that will decide this race


First, it has split strategies throughout the grid because of the severity of the step between each tyre.
Carlos Sainz Jr says those starting on ultrasofts have locked themselves into a two-stop strategy, so the Red Bulls, the Renaults, Romain Grosjean's Haas and Sergio Perez's Force India are all compromised strategically compared to rivals starting outside the top 10.
Ferrari and Mercedes qualified on the soft tyre, so can attempt a one-stop race using the medium tyre, while Red Bull will probably have to go with two stops, with ultra/ultra/soft the most likely choice, according to Pirelli's own analysis.
But Red Bull could still be in the mix for victory in China, if it can gain track position thanks to the advantage of extra grip off the start line afforded by running the softest tyre.
Mercedes is struggling on the ultrasoft, as are other teams, and that isn't something they would have had to contend with otherwise.
The fundamental point is that Pirelli, often criticised for being too conservative for too long, has finally made a bigger call.
There are still those that believe the overall quality of the tyre is still not where it needs to be - Hamilton for example says the softer tyres for 2018 are still too hard - but Pirelli's work has finally created a legitimate variable for an interesting race.
It was a similar story in Bahrain last weekend, where eight different tyre strategies were used by the top 10 finishers.
"Unpredictability is exciting," says Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.
"If we have one strategy on two stops that is the winning one, it means that everybody will do the same, and basically we are not creating any differentiation, we are not creating any action on track.
"In Bahrain, in my opinion, it was successful because each driver had the opportunity, depending on race position, depending on the situation, to change the strategy without losing a lot of time.
"If we have these conditions also here in China, we can see a good race. Strategy engineers will be stressed tomorrow."

Marcus Ericsson pins Chinese GP penalty on mix-up with Sauber team
Chinese Grand Prix: Ricciardo wins, Verstappen and Vettel collide

Latest news
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix