Sepang surface breaks up as Friday runs miss Pirelli simulations by up to 4.5 seconds
Motorsport.com reported that Friday one-lap runs at Sepang were up to 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli’s qualifying simulations as the surface began breaking up. Pirelli’s race report describes the wet-weather tyre use and different strategies for the podium finishers.
Friday one-lap runs at Sepang were reported to be as much as 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli’s qualifying simulations. Motorsport.com attributed the comparison to Pirelli chief engineer Simone Berra, who pointed to the rough surface and lower grip. The circuit surface also began breaking up during practice, and sweepers were sent out after FP2 to clear stones.
Berra said punctures were not a major concern, while describing low grip as a consequence of the rough surface. He separately warned that the surface could deteriorate further during the race.
Pirelli’s post-race account says nine drivers started on intermediates, six more switched to them early, and every compound except Full Wet was used. The supplier lists different tyre sequences for the top three: Verstappen used intermediates followed by three sets of softs; Antonelli used intermediates, mediums and two sets of softs; Hamilton used softs, mediums and softs.
Pirelli also says neutralisations influenced late-race tyre choices and that the Soft allowed long stints.
Sources 03
- SOURCEWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsMotorsport.com F1
- PRIMARY SOURCEDoc 1 - Competition Notes - Pirelli PreviewFIA F1 decision documents
- PRIMARY SOURCESepang debuts the Intermediates and crowns VerstappenPirelli press office
Source context
Motorsport.com attributes the Friday simulation comparison and Berra’s puncture assessment to him. Pirelli’s post-race report describes race tyre use and the supplier’s own views on tyre performance; neither report establishes that Friday’s conditions or tyre strategies determined the result.
Claims and supporting evidence 5
The comparison and explanation are attributed to Berra in the Motorsport.com report.
Motorsport.com reports the surface deterioration and the sweepers’ work.
This preserves the scope of his puncture assessment and distinguishes it from his separate warning about possible deterioration.
Attributed to Pirelli’s post-race account.
Presented as the supplier’s report, without claiming that the strategies caused the result.
Corrections and updates to this story
Sepang strategy options as rain delays the start
Updated to include RacingNews365’s report that rain and lightning delayed the scheduled start, while keeping its tyre strategies clearly framed as pre-race possibilities rather than confirmed team choices.
Tyre gamble leaves McLaren’s Sepang starting choice disputed
This update adds race-day tyre choices and their early effects to the earlier pre-race strategy coverage. The earlier article described possible approaches, not confirmed team plans, and remains unchanged.
Pirelli details Sepang’s tyre strategies after Verstappen win
This update adds Pirelli’s post-race account of tyre use and strategies. The earlier coverage described possible pre-race approaches, not confirmed team plans; this update does not claim that tyre strategy determined the result.
Sepang surface breaks up as Friday runs miss Pirelli simulations by up to 4.5 seconds
This update adds Friday practice reporting on Sepang’s rough, breaking-up surface and Pirelli’s comparison with its qualifying simulations. The earlier coverage focused on race tyre use and strategies.
Sepang surface breaks up as Friday runs miss Pirelli simulations by up to 4.5 seconds
Manual editorial correction: clarified wording and attribution and removed repeated or source-process prose where present. The underlying reporting and sources are unchanged. / Handmatige redactionele correctie: formuleringen en bronvermelding verduidelijkt; herhaling en controletaal verwijderd waar aanwezig. De verslaggeving en bronnen zijn behouden.
This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.