This weekend sees Formula One heading to the highly anticipated Monaco Grand Prix and tyre manufacturer Pirelli have a special association with the race – the very first world championship race at Monaco was held in 1950 and was won by the great Juan Manuel Fangio in a Pirelli-equipped Alfa Romeo. In addition to this Fangio’s last Monaco victory in 1957 (which occurred 68 years ago this week) was also achieved on Pirelli tyres in a Maserati.
The new P Zero Red supersoft compound makes its debut at Monaco; alongside the P Zero Yellow soft for the race weekend. Pirelli believes that this option offers the most grip and performance of Pirelli’s entire F1 entire range and also gives them a chance to showcase their brand new compound for the 2015 season.
Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery believes that Monaco is a race everyone looks forward to, even though it is difficult to overtake; Despite this, it can be done if driers are struggling with tyre management.
Hembrey hopes that the introduction of the supersoft compound is successful in Monte Carlo this weekend and provides variety in performance.
“Monaco is one of those races that everyone looks forward to: there are very few words that can adequately describe the spectacle,” said Hembrey. “We’re bringing our brand new supersoft tyre for the first time this year, together with the soft, as has been the case since we started our current Formula One era in 2011.
“Monaco has often been described as a circuit where overtaking is impossible, but we have seen in the past there how tyre strategy and degradation has often led to positions changing, including on-track overtaking.
“In particular, the way that drivers use the new supersoft tyre, with its notable performance advantage, will be crucial. There are a number of unusual aspects to Monaco, including the timing of the sessions themselves, which only add to the famed unpredictability of this race and inevitable comparisons with the roulette wheel.
“But as is always the case, the right preparation and collection of tyre data during practice will put any driver in a strong position to maximise their potential in the race as well as the crucial qualifying session.”
