LEADERSHIP
Learning Strategy From Formula-1 Grand Prix
Prof. Dr. Ajit Patil
A bit about Formula-1 Racing
Unless we understand Formula-1 Grand Prix( F1) racing we may not appreciate the use of strategy and tactics in it. We must know about the way it is played, the rules, the tracks and locations, the hardware used like the engines and tyres, the competing teams and players, etc to develop our understanding of the strategies and tactics used in F-1.
Locations: In the year 2021, there were 23 races of F1 in different parts of the world. They were spread across all continents except Africa. Every location is unique in terms of the track, weather, fans, etc. Teams have to use different tactics at every location. Players have to demonstrate skills on all tracks to win the championship.
Tracks: There are several track types used in Formula One. The most commonly used type is the“ proper” circuit, race track or road course. Tracks like Silverstone, Monza, the Hungaroring and the Circuit of the Americas fit here. Then comes‘ Street Circuit’. These are races on real public roads, designed for road cars. They are lined with barriers on both sides. Examples are Monaco and Singapore. Montreal and Melbourne are also street circuits, but both have run-off areas and a greater number of highspeed corners. The last type is the hybrid. They have characteristics of both road and street circuits. Abu Dhabi is such a track. The nowdeparted Korea circuit was also designed with a“ street” sector. Like in Tennis where the game plans differ for clay and grass courts, in Formula-1 racing different strategies work for different tracks.
Teams: There were 10 teams in F1, in the year 2021- Mercedes, Red Bulls, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, Alpha Tauri, Aston Martin, Williams, Alfa Romeo racing and Haas. F1 teams employ hundreds of people. Besides the drivers, team principal, engineers, analysts and mechanics, there are also the media team and trainers who bring the race team to 50-75 people. Add the factory team that designs and manufactures the chassis and engine.
“ Great F-1 teams are about diversity and heterogeneity of skills and knowledge. But the pace of resolving differences and developing alignments ultimately decides the pace of the car.”
The total can go up to 1000. Every team participates with two cars driven by 2 drivers separately. The championship is given for drivers and also for teams by adding points scored by both the players. These 2 drivers have to compete but also play together to win the cup for their team. The same technical team designs and maintains the car before, after and during the race. The back-end team keeps track of the race and also advises both the players on strategies and tactics before and during the race. They decide along with drivers about critical elements like engine changes, pit stops, etc.
Tyres: They play a significant role in the performance of F1 car racing. Unlike our car tyres, F1 tyres are short-lived and required to change during the race. Different tyres are suitable for different tracks, weather, a racing requirement like faster pick-up, higher speeds, better grip on the slippery track, etc. There are 4 sets of tyres: hard, medium, soft and super-soft, with different colour coding on the side. Soft tyres help in faster speeding but they wear fast needing early change. Medium tyres are useful in rainy situations. Hard tyres last longer and allow a single pit strategy but at the cost of speed. Drivers are allowed to choose any type and change over during the race. These tyres form a sliding scale of durability and performance levels.
Soft tyres provide better grip at the expense of compromised durability, how much stress it can take. They require more pitstops. Drivers are not solely using the soft tyres during races, as they would have to make multiple pitstops.
Pitstops: Players have to drive to the specially marked area called Pit for a tyre change or accident or other technical issues. This stop is called a‘ pitstop’. Tyre change takes just a few seconds. Mercedes and Red Bull teams do it in less than 3 seconds. The Red Bull team created the world record in the F1-2021 season. They could complete tyre change activity during a pitstop of just 1.91 seconds, which is less than 2 seconds. But drivers need about 20 to 30 seconds to go, change and come back in action. At least one tyre change is mandatory as a life of all tyre types in less than racing distance. Hence drivers have
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