So that makes a one-stop strategy the clear favourite for all of those in the top ten, not just the frontrunners.
And clear air being important is just as crucial to those further back in the top ten.
In that first stint we could see the field spreading out a little to focus on their strategic options rather than wheel-to-wheel combat, because the slipstream effect is less important than at somewhere like Baku, and it’s more crucial to have clean air for the long, sweeping corners.
And starting on the softs is not a viable option due to the lack of range offered by that tyre on high fuel.
So the most likely alternative to the medium-hard strategy above is to start on the hards and run long.
As pointed out above, clean air is also crucial.
After a few dry races, this is where things could get interesting this afternoon, as there is rain in the air at Paul Ricard.