Monaco GP: Pirelli Grand Prix Preview
By Courtesy of Pirelli
May 22 2018
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Pirelli Monaco
Grand Prix Preview |
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The brand new P Zero Pink
hypersoft compound, which in testing has shown itself to be about a second a
lap quicker than the ultrasoft, makes its competition debut in Monaco
alongside the two other softest compounds in the Pirelli Formula 1 line-up:
ultrasoft and supersoft. With Monaco requiring a high level of mechanical
grip but putting the least stress on a tyre of any track all year, the
prestigious street circuit is ideal territory for the softest and fastest
Formula 1 tyres available.
THE CIRCUIT FROM A TYRE POINT OF VIEW
- Monaco is all about generating as much grip from tyres and downforce
settings as possible, being the shortest and slowest lap of the year (with
the hairpin being the slowest corner).
- As a street circuit that’s open to normal traffic outside the sessions
(with a day off on Friday), there is frequently a ‘green’ and slippery
surface, with a variable pattern of track evolution.
- Monaco has nearly always been a one-stopper under normal circumstances: it
remains to be seen whether or not the use of the new hypersoft will alter
this trend in any way.
- Wear and degradation rates are generally the lowest of the year: it’s an
easy track on tyres.
- It’s one of the circuits where it’s hardest to overtake, so qualifying is
all-important, but there’s a reasonably high risk of a safety car too; which
can obviously affect race strategy.
- Weather can vary at this time of year; a wet Monaco is one of the biggest
challenges in F1. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
“We’ve tested the hypersoft in Abu Dhabi and Barcelona: of those two, Abu
Dhabi is a better comparison to Monaco and there we saw that the hypersoft
was worth about a second per lap than the ultrasoft; so we could see some
more records broken this weekend. Nonetheless, the hypersoft is definitely a
race tyre rather than a qualifying tyre, so it will be interesting to see
how it adapts itself to the unique demands of Monaco, and what effect it has
on strategy. Collecting as much data about it as possible in free practice
will be particularly important. The drivers have all each nominated between
eight and 11 sets of hypersoft, so we should see plenty of running on it
throughout the weekend, if it stays dry of course.”.
WHAT’S NEW?
- The Pink hypersoft makes its debut, exactly two years after the Purple
ultrasoft was first seen – also in Monaco. Both were named by fans on social
media.
- There are some new two-storey pit buildings, making life a bit easier for
mechanics. |
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