STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the possible race strategies for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix?

Special ContributorChris Medland
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 03: Scuderia AlphaTauri pit action during practice ahead of the F1 GrandBAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 03: Scuderia AlphaTauri pit action during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 03, 2023 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

It’s finally time to get ready for the first race of the new Formula 1 season – the Bahrain Grand Prix – after the long winter break. We've got some familiar faces at the front but different tyre choices on show even during qualifying, so what strategic options do the teams have on race day at Sakhir? Chris Medland takes a look...

What’s the quickest strategy?

This actually depends on how each team treats its tyres, but the quickest options all appear to be two-stop strategies, with a variety of combinations available when it comes to the compounds used. The big limitation is not tyre wear itself, but degradation from the rear tyres resulting in lost lap time as drivers struggle on traction.