Formulation 1 groups face a step into the unknown this weekend with a newly resurfaced Monza set to throw up some surprises on the Italian Grand Prix.
As a part of a serious revamp to modernise the well-known Autodromo, which has included work on entry tunnels and infrastructure, the complete monitor has been resurfaced.
New asphalt typically has a big effect on the traits of a venue, and early indications already level to a notable step change that would change into an enormous speaking level over the Monza weekend.
One of many key findings from an inspection that Pirelli engineers did in early August on the brand new floor was there its darker colouring meant it retained extra warmth than the outdated floor, one thing which might have a big effect on tyre temperatures.
In a briefing notice despatched out by Pirelli, it famous: “As is often the case with newly-laid asphalt, the floor is smoother than its predecessor and darker in color.
“This latter issue will have an effect on monitor temperature, which if the solar is shining might see it get hotter than up to now, even reaching important highs of over 50°C.
“In concept, the brand new floor ought to provide extra grip, which can affect tyre efficiency and their working temperature vary.”
As early climate forecasts level to temperatures within the low 30°C vary at some point of the occasion, it means the struggle that the majority groups will face over the weekend is in guaranteeing their rubber doesn’t overheat.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images
That problem is one thing that will not be nice information for Mercedes as a result of its W15 automobile seems to be one of the crucial prone to its tyres overheating in sizzling circumstances and falling out of the proper working temperature vary.
At hotter races like Spain, Austria and Hungary, the place it was more durable to maintain tyre temperatures below management, Mercedes was extra on the backfoot than cooler occasions just like the Canadian and British GPs.
Talking earlier than the summer time, Mercedes trackside operations director Andrew Shovlin pinpointed tyre temperature administration as an space that Mercedes wanted to be higher at.
“I believe at tracks like Silverstone, we had a really steady rear finish. In Austria and Budapest, we lacked stability,” he stated. “That is all right down to the truth that we appear to be placing extra temperature within the tyres than the others.
“We all know we have to work on that space. We have got plans to do this, however that is not the form of downside you’ll be able to repair with a single aero replace. It is going to be the results of fairly a couple of developments to try to get on prime of it.”
However whereas preliminary indications don’t look splendid for Mercedes, most groups admit that there’s a diploma of uncertainty in regards to the affect of the Monza modifications.
Haas staff boss Ayao Komatsu stated: “The most important problem for us in Monza would be the modifications to the monitor; the resurfacing, modifications to kerbs and cambers of the monitor. How the automobile will be capable to experience the kerbs when it comes to automobile set-up, I believe will likely be a distinct requirement this yr.”
Even Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who began on pole place final yr, stated he was not sure who the brand new floor would assist probably the most.
“It has been resurfaced, so we are going to discover a very totally different Monza to the previous couple of years,” he stated.
