In a nutshell: which tyres for the Monaco GP?

We're on to the sparkle and glamour of sunny Monte-Carlo this weekend, where Pirelli's tyre selection goes in the opposite direction to what was offered in Barcelona.

Having brought the three hardest compounds in the range to Spain, Pirelli now brings the three softest compounds to Monaco, featuring the soft, supersoft and ultrasoft tyres.

The famous street circuit is well known for having the lowest average speed and tyre degradation of the year: as such, a one stop race is the most likely scenario.

"The three softest compounds are the obvious choice for Monaco, but there is still plenty of scope for strategic variation," says Pirelli racing boss Mario Isola.

"Wear and degradation are so low that the teams can more or less choose whenever they would like to make their single pit stop from ultrasoft to supersoft, which should be the standard choice for the race.

"This is the first Grand Prix that the drivers have been able to select their own tyre allocations, and as expected the nominations have overwhelmingly favoured the ultrasoft.

"This is the tyre that will be used the most in both qualifying and the race."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.