F1 News, Reports and Race Results

In a nutshell: which tyres for the Italian GP?

It'll be a home race for Ferrari at Monza next weekend but also for Pirelli which will bring the same medium, soft and supersoft selection of tyres as last year.

Monza is all about long straights, longitudinla forces, acceleration and braking. The track's big kerbs will also likely put the tyres' structure to the test.

A one-stop strategy won last year but two and three stops were also seen. The majority of teams have filled up on the supersoft compound, with Mercedes taking a different approach by not taking the maximum number of 10 sets of the softest rubber for Monza. 

"With the new generation of 2017 cars, we may see lower or similar top speeds to last year, but with more energy going through the tyres because of the extra downforce under the new regulations," explains Pirelli's Mario Isola.

"This combination of speed and downforce defines the amount of work that the tyres have to do. The tyre choice has also been influenced by the risk of blistering at Monza, as there are plenty of braking areas in a straight line.

"This means that the cambered shoulder area of the tyre can easily overheat and so cause more blistering compared to other circuits.

"In the past Monza has given us many different types of weather, but following a very hot summer, it’s reasonable to expect more high temperatures over the weekend.

"How this influences tyre behaviour is likely to be a focus of free practice as the teams examine different potential strategies."

 

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

10 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

13 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago