The sea serpent of soft tires resurfaces in Monaco
Every year since Pirelli returned to Formula 1 as exclusive tire supplier, the question of the performance level of the rubber compounds allocated for the Monaco Grand Prix has been raised in the paddock.
The issue of tires supplied by Pirelli for the Monaco Grand Prix is an old chestnut that walks the paddock alleys of the Principality.
On the sidelines of the event, drivers Felipe Massa and Daniel Ricciardo once again stepped forward to demand that the Italian manufacturer provide tires suited for urban tracks, which are very low abrasion for the tires, such as the one in Monte-Carlo.
The Williams driver assumes that all drivers on the grid should be required to make at least a second pit stop, as opposed to the single stop expected this Sunday, like in previous editions on the Rock, deeming the exercise thus « much too easy » and especially too predictable in race strategies.
As for the Australian driver from Red Bull Racing, he suggests that the Italian supplier provide teams with “super ultra soft” tires to put an end to the issue, despite admitting that the 2017 regulations will allow for substantial time gains on the track: « Yes, I expect us to be under 1m and 12s ».
Furthermore, the list of tires allocated by Pirelli for each team would highlight the almost anecdotal nature of the yellow and red sidewall compounds also delivered to Monaco.
ICYMI here’s the full list of #Fit4F1 shoes available for the #MonacoGP.
More info at: https://t.co/H8gis5XK5l pic.twitter.com/hxozgFmene— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 25 mai 2017
Let’s recall that the range of ultra-soft tires with purple sidewalls was introduced last year by Pirelli, specifically at the Monaco Grand Prix, to provide drivers with sufficiently competitive tires for this type of playground. Even then, Lewis Hamilton was already demanding ultra ultra ultra ultra soft tires to fully express himself in the Principality. However, one year later, his requests in this regard have still not been fulfilled.
From our special correspondent in Monaco
