F1 | GP Monaco, the softer range of Pirelli compounds returns to the Principality

One week after using the hardest tires in the range for the Spanish Grand Prix, it is now the softest compounds that have been selected for the most glamorous track of all: Monaco. The C3 will be the P Zero White hard, the C4 the P Zero Yellow medium and the C5 the P Zero Red soft.

Like Barcelona, ​​Monaco is a track extremely well known to the teams: it is in fact one of the only three circuits still on the calendar among those that were already present in the inaugural Formula 1 season in 1950. However, unlike the other two, Spa and Silverstone, it has not still changed the layout significantly while maintaining the average speed lower than any other track and few run-off routes, which is why it is notoriously difficult to overtake.

Little stress and low tire wear in the Principality

Due to the slippery asphalt of the roads used for the track (which are opened to traffic every evening) and the low speeds reached, the tires are not particularly stressed and wear and degradation are minimal, but there is a high degree of track evolution every day.

For these reasons the one-stop strategy is usually the norm in Monaco, but there is a rather large pit stop window and stop times can be influenced by safety cars which come into action very often at this circuit due to the limited escape.

In Monaco the cars adopt a special set-up with high aerodynamic load to maximize grip at low speeds, with grip guaranteed mechanically by the tires and aerodynamically by the load. This grand prix obviously represents the debut in Monaco for the new generation of Formula 1 cars with 18-inch tyres, so the teams will have to understand how they react in these unique conditions, also considering that the weather on the Mediterranean coast is sometimes difficult to predict this time of year.

Mario Isola, head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli

“Monaco is often described as one of the most unpredictable races of the year, but the truth is that qualifying takes on a particular significance as track position is crucial on this track. As a result, working out how to get the most out of the softer C5 compound, which has only been brought to the Australian Grand Prix so far this year, will be a key aspect of free practice.

Since the rule that required the top 10 drivers to start the race on the tires they had passed Q2 on no longer exists, we may see different strategies this year. Some drivers may choose harder compounds at the start to carry out a long first stint, given the difficulty in overtaking. Others, however, might choose a more traditional approach by starting with the softest compound. In short, it is a race in which strategy can really make the difference."