Pirelli predict Hard compound to be least favorite in Monaco as one-stop race is expected

Pirelli brought their softest range of compounds this weekend in Monaco—C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft).

The 19-corner track has been resurfaced this year between Turns 19 and 1, between Turn 7 and the entrance to the tunnel, as well as on the entry to and exit from the pit lane.

Speaking at the end of Friday, Pirelli Chief Engineer Simone Berra delivered some insights from a tyre's perspective.

He said: "Most teams started the Monaco weekend using the Hard compound, with the aim of assessing track conditions and allowing the drivers to build confidence with the circuit.

"The C3 will in all likelihood be the least-used option in the race, in a scenario that should point towards a one-stop strategy, barring any neutralisations.

"Over the course of the day, the other two compounds proved to be consistent," Berra went on. "The long runs completed by some drivers did not show any particular degradation, while graining, although it appeared on some front axles, did not impact performance.

"Today's fastest lap times are just three tenths of a second away from the quickest lap indicated by the teams' simulations," he pointed out. "It is therefore plausible that, already in qualifying, also thanks to the further evolution of the track, which is traditionally very pronounced in the Principality, lap times quicker than the forecasts could be recorded.

"To achieve a strong qualifying performance, it will be crucial to bring the Soft compound into the correct operating window. Teams may adopt different approaches to achieve this, taking into account the unique characteristics of the circuit.

"In strategic evaluations, managing traffic will also be critical, particularly in light of the presence of two additional cars on track this year," Berra concluded.