Long-lasting UltraSoft leaves tyre strategy wide open

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Pirelli's purple-rimmed UltraSoft compound could end up playing a crucial role in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, with multiple scenarios in the cards.

The specific compound was used almost exclusively in yesterday's free practice sessions, delivering maximum grip while showing hardly any signs of degradation.

Indeed, Pirelli racing boss Mario Isola reckons the tyre could theoretically last the entire duration of the race - 80 laps, projecting that anyone starting out of the top 10 on the SuperSoft compound could swap it for the UltraSoft as soon as the first lap.

Or drivers launching their race on the UltraSoft - the de facto qualifying tyre - could make their mandatory change at the very end of the event, while factoring in a potential Safety Car coming in to play, as is often the case in the Principality.

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"We had zero degradation, more or less," said Isola.

"In the second session race simulations were very consistent. This was expected. We have a delta lap time between the ultrasoft and the supersoft which is around 0.7s.

"Probably during the race this number is going to be smaller, but this is normal.

"I suppose everybody is looking at a long stint on the ultrasoft. We will see, because here the safety car chance is quite high.

"Maybe somebody is starting on the supersoft, and if we have a safety car, it is possible to change, put an ultrasoft, and run all the race.

"Wear is not an issue, degradation is not an issue. Looking at the tyres today they were perfect, no blisters, no graining, nothing.

"They have different strategic options basically because they can change when they want, depending on the race conditions.

"If the safety car is not at the beginning, we can also have a different situation."

Isola also insisted that a mid-field start on the SuperSoft compound, while not ideal, would not necessarily entail a huge loss

"At the beginning in the traffic, it is something that is not going to penalise you," added the Italian.

"If you stay on the pace, you're not losing position, and you keep the contact with the car in front of you, with the supersoft it's possible to do that.

"We know that in the race they keep a race pace that is not like in qualy. In this case when you have a safety car you stop and finish on the ultrasoft."

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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.