Williams Racing driver Alex Albon raced 57 laps of 58 on Pirelli’s hard C2 tyre at Formula One Australian Grand Prix to finish 10th from starting last on the grid. Not only did Albon break precedence on pushing tyre performance to maximum result, but also shifted the line on how Team strategy can deliver unexpected results in Formula One’s new era of racing.
From failing to provide enough fuel sample after Qualifying, starting last place on grid prompted Team strategy to maintain track position on preferred C2 hard tyres, right up to pitting on penultimate lap, making switch to set of softs to finish 10th, and claiming the Team’s first point of the season.
Undoubtedly, such result remains risky at best, not taking free pitting opportunity when Safety Car was deployed number of times, and banking that Albon would exercise best possible outcome when hard’s were favoured for durability over the grip of mediums- even though degradation was set to increase over race duration.
Or was it? In Formula One’s new era of racing where the aero dynamics of cars has altered race experience on and off track, elements on how to find a wider operating window remains open to interpretation by driver and Team.
Sure, FIA/F1/Pirelli agreed letter of intent was to change the difference of lap times along with levels of tyres degradation through prescribed aero-dynamic car design fitted with new Pirelli 18 inch tyres. While at the same time, provide increased fan anticipation on all bets are off for who will win- rather – who will pass, pit, and pass again on tyre of choice.
Yet, the clean slate of increasing the enjoyment factor watching F1 within the sport’s commitment of advancing race technology in an environmentally and sustainable way has also opened new strategies on what constitutes tactics for winning. The never ending fine line of driver and Team sustaining track position within parameters of optimizing tyre performance has been THE formula put in place by the sport’s bodies because it brings in the unpredictably nature of F1 racing. Albon and Williams Racing just pushed that formula into the new era at 2022 Australian Grand Prix.
Yes, all credit goes to Charles Leclerc and Ferrari for pulling off amazing win pitting on Lap 22 on mediums to switch to fresh set of hard’s- completing grand slam of taking pole, taking fastest lap and winning Race. Leclerc’s win undoubtedly reinforces the courageous decisions of FIA/F1 on making changes to car design to align with the over-arching goal of putting on a show.
And credit also goes to Alex Albon and Williams Racing. Call it what you like, driver in synch with running Pirelli C2’s, Team prepared to make calls out-of-the-box, or both willing to embrace spirit of racing F1 in new era on and off the track.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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