0
Kevin Magnussen says that he is hoping he will be able to benefit from a differing strategy during Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix. The Dane failed to make it into Q3, meaning he will not have to start the race on the ultra soft tyres he used in Q2.
Magnussen can choose what tyre compound he wishes to start the race on, and is likely to choose a harder tyre in order to go longer into the race on his first stint. Following qualifying, Magnussen admitted that he feels "a little bit lucky" to be starting from where he is.
"I did miss out on Q3 but I’m not sure I’m unlucky," he said. "Probably not a bad position. I tried my best but I just messed up both the out-lap and the lap itself, ended up in P11. We’ve been through a whole lot of thinking about how to go about this because of the ultra-soft and the struggle you might have if you start on it. So I actually feel a little bit lucky to be honest."
With everyone in front of Magnussen having no choice but to start on the ultra soft tyres that were used in Q2, the 25-year-old will be looking to pounce on drivers who will struggle for grip as the purple-walled ultra soft tyre loses performance.
"That’s what we’ll have to wait and see," he said when asked how big was his strategic advantage. "Obviously I hope it’s going to be a big advantage. With the hotter temperatures that’s forecast it could be a big advantage. The ultra-soft has been working alight in the cold temperatures, overcast and cold weather, they’ve been OK, but still even in those conditions it was on the limit for many teams."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
I. Hadjar
A. Antonelli
C. Leclerc
25 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (0)
Login to reply