The 53-lap race is going to be an easy one-stopper, with conditions expected to remain dry. The most likely winning strategy will be to start on the medium tyre and then switch to the hard on lap 23. Starting on the hard tyre and then switching to medium on lap 30 gives the same theoretical race time, but there is a bigger risk of traffic. If track temperatures turn out to be slightly higher than expected, those starting on the medium tyre may pit a little sooner: at around the lap 18-20 mark.
Of cours all eyes are on the front row, first chicane and first lap. But wait a minute and watch second row, DRS zone and second to last lap.
Would Massa do a perfect race, put all his experience and trust in this one and will do it? Now that he knows he will have at least one more year with the team?
Why not?
Why not a win for Felipe?
The main rumour this weekend has concerned the future of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, with speculation he is set to leave. He denied all that on Saturday.
Hamilton had a bit of a dramatic entrance as he was pushed on to his grid slot by the team after ‘a brake cooler that was mounted on the right front wheel fell off and crunched on the front wing. The team changed the front wing.
Note – Kvyat qualified 11th, drops 10 grid places for engine change. Ericsson starts from pit lane – penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags in qualifying.