Formula 1 teams are likely to continue using one-stop strategies to win races next year despite changes to tyres, according to Pirelli.

The sport’s official tyre supplier is considering whether to be more conservative with its selections for next year. Pirelli’s sporting director Mario Isola pointed out that its move towards more aggressive tyres this year largely failed to encourage teams to make more pit stops.

With next year’s tyres already designed, Pirelli now has a week to decide its tyre nominations for the first race of the season. But Isola said it isn’t clear what F1 wants from its tyres next year.

“The range and the construction are defined,” said Isola. “We cannot change it now, what we can change is the selection. I discussed that with drivers and also with teams, but there is no clear indication on the direction to take.

“That’s why I want to involve them and the teams in the selection, because it is not clear what we have to do for next year, if we have to go a bit more conservative.”

Isola suspects that picking more conservative tyres next year will be better for the racing.

“We have seen this year we have most of the races with one stop. We went softer and softer and teams were managing the pace more and more. So is it good that we continue with this approach? Or we just accept that we have one-stop races but maybe we go one stop harder and teams can push, drivers can push?

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“If you ask me, my personal opinion is it’s better to go in this direction. So we accept that we have one-stop races, but at least we give an opportunity to drivers to push.”

Changes to the cars for next year could also improve the action on track, which Isola says is another reason to lean towards more conservative rubber.

“Next year we will have a new aero package. It is not clear if it is making a big difference or not. If you talk to the teams somebody is saying there is a difference, somebody is saying that in a couple of races it’ll be the same. They are the expects so I’m just collecting the feedback.

“They will have more fuel, five kilos, so that means they can manage a bit less the fuel. We know that in some races they have to manage the fuel because there is not enough to finish the race. So we have to consider all the package. With more fuel they can push more.

“At this point it’s probably better to give them more consistent tyres and they push and fight on-track instead than overcut, undercut and trying to make places during the pit stop. The pit stop is part of the race but I think in this room everyone likes more overtaking on track than when the car is in the pit lane.”

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2018 F1 season