Verstappen starts on supersofts while Ricciardo opts for softs
Saturday 27 August 2016 15:49, UK
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed it was the decision of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen to start on opposing tyre strategies for the Belgian GP.
Daniel Ricciardo set his fastest time in Q2 on the soft tyre, giving him a more durable tyre to use during the first stint of Sunday's race. The same strategy was adopted by Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.
By contrast, Max Verstappen used supersofts in Q2 and will thus start the race with tires that will only last a handful of laps. However, the softer compound could potentially see him leapfrog Rosberg, in pole, at the start.
"It's going to be fascinating on Sunday," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"Obviously the supersoft is going to have to pit earlier, but he then should be able to make progress through the field and maybe even have track position compared to the other cars.
"It is going to be fascinating to see how it all works, a few years ago we stopped on lap two here and managed to win the race. It is not clear cut and when we discussed it this morning I put it open to both drivers what tyre they would prefer to start the race on and both drivers independently came up with the tyre decision they have today.
"From a team point of view it covers both options - here and now we don't know what the best one is."
Speaking after the session, Daniel Ricciardo, who was only fifth quickest after a small error at turn one on his best Q3 lap, was sure he'd picked the right strategy.
"Q2 was important for me to start on the softs. I think it is going to help me, but Max wanted his strategy and I wanted mine," the Australian said.
"So we both feel we have got the best one. I think tomorrow it will bid me well."
While Ricciardo will start from the third row, Verstappen will become the youngest ever driver to start from the front row of the grid on Sunday.
"For Max a stonking first lap, really impressive what he managed to nail," Horner said.
"To be on the front row here, only a tenth and a half or so behind Mercedes - that's pretty impressive."
