Lewis Hamilton faces new challenge on softer tyres this weekend
With Pirelli unable to come up with new tyres, another Silverstone nail-biter is on the cards
Softer tyres and hotter temperatures will pose a fresh test for Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone on Sunday after the Formula One championship leader won last weekend’s British Grand Prix on three wheels and a flat.
Tyre supplier Pirelli had always planned a change of compounds for the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, the second of two at the circuit where the championship began in 1950, but there will be more scrutiny now.
Hamilton’s win after a last-lap tyre failure will go down as one of his most dramatic and came after he completed more than three-quarters of the race on a single set.
“One step softer is going to be a challenge for us all and no doubt will move us all to at least a two-stop race,” the six-time world champion, now 30 points clear of teammate Valtteri Bottas, said last Sunday.
“Obviously our cars are a lot quicker this year. We’re using the same tyres as last year as [Pirelli] wasn’t able to develop a better tyre to deal with the forces for this season, so it’s going to be a serious challenge, I think.”
Team boss Toto Wolff agreed: “The hotter conditions brought the field closer together last week and the softer tyres will mean more pit stops and more variability with strategy, so we can expect a good fight.”
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