Red Bull/Getty Images
Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli is expecting strategy to play a bigger part in this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, after the majority of drivers adopted a one stop strategy in Australia.
Pirelli will bring the two hardest compounds - the Medium and Hard - to Sepang due to fast corners with big lateral loads, rough asphalt, high ambient temperatures and a bumpy surface.
"The Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago confirmed what we saw in testing: lap times that are two seconds or more faster this year compared to last year, in every session," said Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery.
"This exponentially increases the workload on the tyres: something that will be particularly in evidence at Sepang, which has some of the most abrasive asphalt we race on all year and a number of fast corners that take a lot of energy out of the tyres, as well as high ambient temperatures.
"For all these reasons, we have chosen the two hardest tyres in our range this weekend: P Zero Orange hard and P Zero White medium, as has always been the case in Malaysia since we returned to Formula 1 in 2011.
"We should see a return to at least two stops per car in Malaysia – perhaps more if the weather gets in the way – after an early safety car meant that unusually most drivers stopped only once in Australia. Wear and degradation is traditionally very high in Sepang, so managing the tyres and the strategy carefully will be key to success."
Last year's race was won by Lewis Hamilton, who adopted a three-stop strategy to beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
