Tyre strategy once again influenced the outcome of the GP2 races in Germany with Sergey Sirotkin and Alex Lynn sharing the wins. Sirotkin was forced to double-stop in Saturday’s Feature Race due to a rules infringement, but his fresh set of P Zero yellow soft tyres handed him the edge in the closing stages. Lynn used the P Zero white mediums to win the Sprint Race from the front. Antonio Fuoco and Jake Hughes claimed a win apiece in GP3 with all drivers using the soft tyre.
GP2
Tyre strategy was key in Saturday’s Feature Race as drivers coped with increased thermal tyre degradation amid high ambient and track temperatures and on a circuit known for its increased traction and high-energy braking. Starting from pole, Sergey Sirotkin took the victory in unusual circumstances.
Race officials deemed the Russian’s first stop under a Virtual Safety Car period broke the rules and the ART driver was forced to make a second stop. While he lost time in the pits, by getting a second set of the P Zero yellow soft compound tyre, Sirotkin enjoyed a competitive advantage over a number of rivals on the P Zero white medium tyre and he was able to pull off a number of overtaking manoeuvres as a result.
Luca Ghiotto delivered a tyre management masterclass, coming through from 14th to second on the soft tyre. Pierre Gasly, who had led the GP2 standings prior to the event, dropped back from his front-row starting position after a slow getaway, making a late stop for softs having run his first stint on the mediums. However, post-race technical checks revealed a technical infringement, which led to Gasly’s exclusion and promoted Raffaele Marciello to third.
Alex Lynn took the Sprint Race triumph on Sunday morning on the back of a strong start and a dominant drive. Using the P Zero white medium tyre, which he preserved throughout, it was his second win of the season. Sirotkin finished second and now leads the standings, albeit equal on points with Gasly. Arthur Pic finished third.
GP3
Ferrari Driver Academy member Antonio Fuoco charged through from fourth on the grid to win Saturday’s opening race ahead of Nyck de Vries and Matthew Parry. Jake Hughes beat Jack Aitken and Charles Leclerc to victory in Sunday’s reverse-grid race, the first for the Briton and the DAMS team in the category. All GP3 drivers used the soft compound tyre. The young racers all had to consider tyre management throughout the two races, particularly when accelerating out of the tight corners.
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Pirelli’s racing manager Mario Isola concluded: “The GP2 and GP3 teams and drivers start the summer break on the back of a busy but action-packed period. As usual, the Hockenheim races delivered plenty of excitement and entertainment. This was particularly the case in GP3, where tyre management was absolutely fundamental and we had plenty of overtaking, as well as changes in the lead over the last two laps.”
The next round of the GP2 and GP3 series will take place at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium from August 26-28.
