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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