Track evolution a 'big factor' in Monaco, says Renault's Bell

Renault's chief technical officer Bob Bell believes the addition of an extra tyre compound and a typically evolutive track will condition set-up and strategy work next weekend in Monte-Carlo.

For the first time this year, Pirelli has made its Ultra-soft purple-banded tyre available, and while most teams feel the compound shall likely be the optimum choice in terms of performance, it shall also add to the mix in terms of defining the best race strategy come Sunday.

"It does leave us with a little more work to do as there is an extra compound to be thinking about, especially at a track where the surface evolves – and therefore how the tyre compound works with the surface changes,"  explained Bob Bell.

" Monaco is prone to massive evolution and that is a big factor in set-up and strategy considerations.

"So the main focus is ensuring the drivers get as much time as possible to build their confidence on the circuit and learn from the track surface evolution."

Given Monaco's inherent difficulties of overtaking, drivers will obviously be looking to minimise pit stops, so strategy analysis will start as early as free practice when teams will be able to sample the performance and durability of Pirelli's Ultra-soft rubber.

As for car set-up, Bell believes that in addition to the usual tweeks  associated with the twisty lay-out, work will centre around achieving an overall decent balance and efficiency in all departments.

"It used to be a circuit where you’d bolt on a lot of high downforce elements to the car but now a high downforce configuration is de rigueur in a lot of circuits so this isn’t something we’re so concerned with as a team anymore.

"We do use revised suspension to give additional lock for Loews, but that’s the same every year – it’s not as if it’s a surprise.

"As it’s a low speed track, aero is of less relative importance, all we have to do is ensure the car is reasonably well balanced, the braking is good, the traction is strong, cooling is under control.

"It’s really more about managing the car and giving the driver a predictable car without any surprises."

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