Monza Demanding Circuit For F1 Tyres

The high-speed Monza Grand Prix circuit will test tyres to the limit, tyre suppliers Bridgestone and Michelin have reported. “Being the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar, the Monza GP is always a fast and furious race. The cars reach around 350km/h in four different places and in the approach to the first chicane, they are actually reaching close to 360km/h,” said Bridgestone F1 technical manager, Hisao Suganuma, adding:

“The tyres are also rotating at such a high frequency that there is a lot of heat generated, particularly when braking hard from top speeds. Consequently, heat durability is a key issue in Monza while wear rates tend not to be so critical.”

Michelin motorsport director, Pierre Dupasquier, commented: “Despite the loads imposed by Monza’s many high speed sweeps, such as the Parabolica or Biassono, wear rates are not as significant as you might imagine during cornering. That said, the track’s relative lack of abrasiveness and the extreme speeds attained on the long straights combine to generate high tyre temperatures. This unusual blend of low wear corners and gruelling straights obliges us to run very specific compounds.”

“What’s more, drivers brake earlier here than they do at other tracks, because they run with relatively little aerodynamic downforce. Consequently, it is imperative to offer them consistent levels of grip.”