New asphalt put down at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza could have a major effect on this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, according to tyre providers Pirelli in their pre-race analysis.
The circuit is undertaking a process of extensive renovation and modernisation in a bid to ensure it keeps its place in the crowded Formula 1 calendar which now consists of a record 24 races per season.
The first phase of this work has been the complete resurfacing of the entire track which will mean the drivers face an unknown outlook when they head out for the first time on Friday morning for FP1.
The work involved a crew of 240 and 92 vehicles and was completed in early August. In the time since then, a team of Pirelli engineers undertook an inspection of the new surface and shared the data with the FIA and teams.
"As is usually the case with newly laid asphalt, the surface is smoother than its predecessor and darker in colour," Pirelli pronounced. The darker surface also will pick up more heat from the sun and could reach highs of over 50C.
In theory the new surface should offer more grip, which will impact the temperature generated in the tyres and contribute to increased tyre degradation, which teams will have to account for with their race strategies.
Ideally teams will want to run a one-stop race because the time needed for a pit stop at Monza is one of the longest of the year, especially relative to the speeds the cars reach on track. However that might not be possible this year.
The effect the new surface has on tyre behaviour over a long run, both in terms of performance and of degradation, will be a major part of the testing the teams conduct on Friday.
Track evolution is also expected be very high, with various support series also running over the course of the weekend helping to put rubber down and make it faster and faster by the lap.
The Temple of Speed usually sees cars use the lowest downforce configuration possible. Stability under braking and traction coming out of the two chicanes can be major factors in a team's performance in qualifying and the race.
Lateral loads in the fast corners such as the Curva Grande and the Parabolica (now named in honour of Michele Alboreto) are also significant elements.
Pirelli is providing the same selection of compounds as last year. Most drivers opted to start the 2023 race on the mediums with only three (Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen) on softs.
© Pirelli
Of the 20 starters, 14 drivers pitted just once while six pitted twice, although one of those - Oscar Piastri - was due to contact with Hamilton forcing him to make an unplanned stop for a new front wing.
Another new look at Monza will come in the form of the trophies presented to the winning drivers. As title sponsor of the Italian GP, Pirelli entrusted this year's design to highly regarded contemporary artist Andrea Sala.
Pirelli said that the new trophies - entitled VROOOM - "represent, in abstract form, the long history of Pirelli tyres, combined with impressions of speed and acceleration".
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